Three-dimensional network with cavities created by hydrogen bonds in protocatechuic acid/copper(II) system

A new complex, (Cu-2(phen)(6)(H(3)PCA)(4)(NO3)(4)-2H(2)O) (1), was synthesized and structurally characterized. Crystal data for the complex I are as follows: Cu2C100N16O30H76, FW=2108.88, monoclinic, space group Cc, a=1.0039(1) nm, b=3.9152(5) nm, c=2.41074(7) nm, beta=102.0370(7)degrees, V=9.267(1) nm(3), Z=4, R-1=0.053 and R-W=0.058. The complex is composed of copper cations, nitrate anions, 1,10-phenanthroline, protocatechuic acid and lattice water molecules. The structure of H(3)PCA, NO3- and waters comprises packing of three-dimensional network by hydrogen bonds with cavities. The complex can be considered as a model of host/guest supermolecule. The three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network is the host species. The Cu(phen)(3)(2+) cations, guest species, occupy the cavities of the host.