Synthesis and crystal structure of a polymeric 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylato complex of Cu(II) with imidazole, Cu2(C10H2O8)(C3H4N2)6(H2O)4 • 4H2O

The title complex, Cu-2(C10H2O8)(C3H4N2)(6)(H2O)(4) . 4H(2)O, consists of polymeric copper(II) complex anions and discrete copper(II) complex cations. Benzenetetracarboxyl anions bridge copper(II) atoms coordinated to water and imidazole groups to form the anionic polymeric chains along the a axis, while discrete copper(II) complex cations involving four imidazole and two water ligands are packed between parallel polymeric anionic chains, an extensive H-bonding network linking complex cations and anions.