Cation–anion interactions via hydrogen bonding; synthesis, characterization and single crystal X-ray structure of [Cu(phen)3](1,3-benzenedisulphonate)⋅7H2O

•Synthesis of a new copper(II) complex, [Cu(phen)3](1,3-C6H4(SO3)2)⋅7H2O.•Complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques.•Non-covalent interactions like hydrogen bonding, π–π, anion–π, etc. stabilize the crystal lattice of this inorganic salt.

A new copper(II) complex, [Cu(phen)3](1,3-benzenedisulphonate)⋅7H2O, has been synthesized by reacting hydrated cupric chloride with phenanthroline (phen) and disodium salt of 1,3-benzenedisulphonate in ethanol–water mixture. It has been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, UV-visible, EPR), thermogravimetric analyses and single crystal X-ray structure determination. A detailed packing analysis has revealed the existence of non-covalent interactions which stabilize the crystal lattice.

Graphical abstractCation–anion interactions via hydrogen bonding.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide