Reaction of 1,2-bis(2,6-dicarboxypyridin-4-yl)ethyne and imidazole with Cu(II) generates a discrete complex not a coordination polymer: crystal structure of [μ-4,4′-(1,2-ethynediyl)-bis(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato)-N, O, O′-μ-N′, O′′, O′′′]-diaqua-bis(imidazole)-dicopper(II)

Reaction of 1,2-bis(2,6-dicarboxypyridin-4-yl)ethyne and imidazole with Cu(II) produces crystals containing a discrete complex of [μ-4,4′-(1,2-ethynediyl)-bis(pyridine-2,6dicarboxylato)-N, O, O′-μ-N′, O′′, O′′′]-diaqua-bis(imidazole)-dicopper(II) complex (1), [(C16H4N2O8)(C3H4N2)2(H2O)2Cu2] instead of a linear coordination polymer. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 5.3763(8) A, b = 18.522(3) A, c = 11.4827(7) A,β = 93.705(3) ◦ and Z = 2. The complex sits on a center of symmetry such that the two halves of the molecule are related by inversion symmetry. The molecules pack in layers in which the molecules are joined by intermolecular N–H· · ·O hydrogen bonds between imidazole and carboxylate groups and O–H· · ·O hydrogen bonds between carboxylate groups and water.