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-2,6-dicarboxylato)-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) ?, b = 18.522(3) ?, c = 11.4827(7) ?, 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.