Catenated molecular pattern in the crystal structure of a copper(II) complex with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and chloride ligands

The crystals of catena-dichloro-(dihydrogen pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylato-O,O′,N,-N′) copper(II) dihydrate Cu[H₂(2,6-PZDC)]Cl₂?2H₂O are monclinic, space group C2/c with a = 11.658(2) Å, b = 6.778(1) Å, c = 16.390(3) Å, β = 98.90(3)^°, and Z = 4. Two adjacent copper(II) ions are bridged by a fully protonated pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid molecule which uses for bridging its O,O′,N-bonding moiety on one side and a single hetero-ring nitrogen atom on the other. Two chloride ions in axial position complete the octahedral coordination around the metal ions with bond distances: Cu–N 2.027(3) ÅA, Cu–N′ 2.005(3) ÅA, Cu–Cl. 2.281(1) ÅA, and Cu–O 2.446(2) ÅA. Copper(II) ions are located in the center of symmetry and are coplanar with the ligand acid molecule forming flat molecular chains propagating in the direction of the b axis. Hydrogen bonds via solvation water molecule link the chains into molecular layers parallel to the ac plane. Weak van der Waals type interactions operate between the layers.