Bis(μ‐2‐sulfonatobenzoato)bis[(1,10‐phenanthroline)­lead(II)] dihydrate

In the title centrosymmetric dimer, [Pb₂(sbc)₂(phen)₂]·2H₂O [sbc is the 2‐sulfonatobenzoate dianion (C₇H₄O₅S) and phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline (C₁₂H₈N₂)], each Pb^II ion is six‐coordinated by four O atoms, viz. carboxyl­ate and sulfonate O atoms from two sbc anions, and two N atoms from a 1,10‐phenanthroline ligand. One 1,10‐phenanthroline ligand and the carboxyl­ate group of one sbc ligand are chelated to each Pb^II cation, and the sulfonate group of the other sbc unit is monodentate. One O atom of the chelated carboxyl­ate group also bridges to the other Pb^II cation, so that each pair of Pb^II ions is bridged by two sbc anions and has the same coordination environment, forming a dinuclear ring. Each pair of Pb^II ions is thus connected by two different kinds of bridges, namely a carboxyl­ate short bridge and a carboxyl­ate–sulfonate long bridge. There is also a special position of site symmetry at the centre of the two Pb^II cations.