Aqua(1,10-phenanthroline) (L-prolinato)copper(II) nitrate monohydrate

The reaction of copper(II) nitrate hydrate with L-proline in the presence o f one equivalent of 1,10-phenanthroline produces the title ternary complex, [Cu(C5H8NO2)(C12H8N2)(H2O)]NO3. H2O. The enantiomorphous molecules contain two square-pyramidal complex cations as a loosely associated dimer. The bi dentate proline ligands differ in conformation in the cations. In one catio n, L-proline alpha-CH and NH groups lie on the same side as coordinated wat er and the Cu-OH2 distance [2.382(3) Angstrom] is longer than in the other cation [2.234(4) Angstrom], in which the alpha-CH and NH groups lie below t he pyramid base away from coordinated water. Additionally, copper is coordi nated weakly by carboxyl oxygen from a neighboring inequivalent complex tra ns to water, with the longer C=O ... Cu distance [3.390(4) Angstrom] opposi te the shorter Cu-OH2 distance, and the shorter C=O ... Cu distance [3.102( 4) Angstrom] opposite the longer Cu-OH2 distance. Uncoordinated nitrates ar e hydrogen bonded to both coordinated and uncoordinated waters.