Water-dimers encapsulated in channel-containing 1D coordination polymers based on a linear dimetallic spacer

A novel one-dimensional organic-inorganic coordination polymer based on a dinuclear copper unit, formulated [Cu2(cro)4(bpp)]·H2O (Hcro=crotonic acid, bpp=1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane) (1) has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectral, thermal, XRPD and magnetic methods. The structure of 1 is fabricated by self-assembly of integrated Cu2(cro)4·2H2O with collapse of the two apical water molecules and flexible ligand bpp into a 1D zigzag-shaped chain. Interestingly, wavy channels are formed among every four adjacent chains, and the water-dimers are situated at the apex of the channels.