One-pot reactions of FeCl(2).4H(2)O and 2,2'-bipyridine-6-carbaldehyde with enantiopure chiral amines lead to octahedral [FeL(2)](2+) complexes, the diastereoselectivity of which depends on the nature of the amine; an interplay of intra-cation pi-stacking and hydrogen bonding directs the diastereoselectivity.