Molecular complex from two different binuclear copper 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylate complexes

Two different binuclear copper complexes [Cu2(Phen)4(NTC)] (A) and [Cu2(Phen)2(NTC)(H2O)4] (B) form a stable molecular complex having a composition [Cu4(Phen)6(NTC)2(H2O)4·22H2O] (1) (where Phen = 1,10 phenanthroline and H4NTC = 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid). Different π-interactions as well as intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the two complexes A and B result in the formation of 3D channel like structures of approximate 18 × 14 Å dimension are filled by lattice water molecules. Moreover, 3D network of complex A itself makes the required space in the crystal lattice to accommodate 1D zigzag chains of complex B.