The reaction of uranyl nitrate with 3-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzoic acid (LH) in the presence of nickel(II) nitrate and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) yields the complex [Ni(phen)3][UO2(L)3]2·2.5H2O (1), in which the uranium atom is chelated by three carboxylate groups. Analysis of short intermolecular contacts shows that those associated with π⋯π interactions do not show up prominently, notwithstanding the number of aromatic rings present, and the packing mode appears to be primarily a result of Coulombic interactions and best shape fitting.