catena-poly[[bis(2-nitrobenzoato-κO)copper(II)]di-μ-3-pyridylmethanol-κ2N,O;κ2O:N]

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Cu(C7H4NO4)(2)-(C6H7NO)(2)](n), has been studied at 100 ( 2) K. The structure contains a linear polymeric chain of Cu-II atoms, which lie on centres of inversion and are doubly bridged by 3-pyridyl-methanol molecules. Two coordination positions on each Cu centre are occupied by O atoms from 3-pyridylmethanol, with two other positions occupied by piridyl N atoms. Monodentate 2- nitrobenzoate anions bind to Cu in axial positions so that the copper(II) chromophore is trans-[CuO2N2O'(2)]. The axially bound 2- nitrobenzoate anions form strong intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds with the OH groups of the 3-pyridylmethanol molecules. The resulting linear chains are held together by weak van der Waals interactions.