SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURE OF A 3-DIMENSIONAL COPPER(II) COORDINATION POLYMER WITH 1,2-BIS(IMIDAZOL-1'-YL)ETHANE

The synthesis and characterization of the copper(II) complex [Cu(bim)( 2.5)](ClO4)(2) . 2MeOH, where bim = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1'-yl) ethane, is described. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space g roup P2(1)/a, with cell constants a = 12.280(8), b = 12.533(5), c = 19 .490(9) Angstrom, beta = 92.17(5)degrees and Z = 4. The structure was solved by a direct method and refined by full-matrix least squares to a residual R value of 0.064 and R-w of 0.066. The complex contains non -interacting ClO4- anions and a {[Cu(bim)(2.5)](2+)}(infinity) macroca tion in which each metal ion involves a distorted square-based pyramid al coordination environment comprising five N atoms from five separate bim molecules. The total structure consists of two alternately stacke d 2D sheets of copper(II) ions bridged through the bidentate imidazole molecules constituting a three-dimensional network. Consistent with t he observed structural data the complex shows a typical axially symmet ric ESR signal at room temperature.