catena-poly[[cobalt(II)-μ-[N,N′-1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene]-κ2N3:N3′-μ-(5-carboxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylato)-κ2O1:O3] monohydrate]

The title Co-II coordination polymer, {[Co(C9H4O6)(C14H14N4)]center dot H2O}(n), was obtained by reaction of Co(NO3)(2)center dot-6H(2)O, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) and 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L). Each Co-II cation is four-coordinated by an O2N2 donor set in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The Co-II centers are connected into a one-dimensional double-stranded chain by HBTC anions and L ligands. The chains are further connected through hydrogen-bonding interactions between the hydroxyl groups of adjacent HBTC anions and face-to-face pi-pi interactions between the benzene rings of adjacent L ligands [average face-to-face distance of 3.427 (3) angstrom], resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.