Self-Assembly of a Water Chain with Tetrameric and Decameric Clusters in the Channel of a Mixed-Valence Cu^ICu^II Complex

The reaction of Cu(BF4)2 with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2pydc) and trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) under hydrothermal conditions afforded a porous mixed-valence CuICuII coordination polymer. Coexistence of tetrameric and decameric water clusters within the channels of the complex leads to a novel water chain. The metal−organic framework provides both hydrophilic and hydrophobic environments for stabilizing the clusters and retains its integrity upon dehydration and rehydration.