Synthesis and crystal structure of a Cu(II) complex with mixed malonate/1,10-phenanthroline ligands

A Cu(II) complex with mixed ligands, [Cu₃(mal)₃(phen)₃(H₂O)₂]?·?11H₂O (mal?=?malonate, phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and luminescence spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Cc with a?=?13.1631(10)?Å, b?=?20.1089(10)?Å, c?=?20.1267(13)?Å, β?=?103.500(3)°, V?=?5180.2(6)?ų, Z?=?4, and R ₁?=?0.0476 for 7993 observed reflections. In the complex, one Cu is coordinated by a mal dianion and a phen molecule, exhibiting N₂O₂ square-planar geometry, while the other two Cu atoms are coordinated, respectively, by a mal dianion, a phen and water molecules, exhibiting N₂O₃ square pyramidal coordination geometry.