A one-dimensional coordination polymer with a capped [Cu4O4] cubane core assembled from 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine.

The one-dimensional coordination polymer catena-poly[[[di-μ2-acetato-tetrakis[μ3-(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato]tetracopper(II)]-di-μ2-diacetamidato] acetonitrile monosolvate], {[Cu4(C6H6NO)4(CH3COO)2(C2N3)2]·CH3CN}n, has been prepared from the direct reaction of 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine with Cu(OAc)2·H2O (OAc(-) is acetate) in a methanol-acetonitrile mixture. The four Cu centres are bridged by four O atoms from discrete (pyridin-2-yl)methanolate ligands and two acetate groups, forming a capped [Cu4O4] cubane core. Each core is doubly bridged to each of two adjacent cores by [N(CN)2](-) anions, resulting in one-dimensional chains. The magnetic properties of the complex were also studied.