Influence of counter ions on supramolecular structures of copper(II) complexes derived from 1,8-naphthalimide tecton

•The influence of counter ions of the complexes on supramolecular chemistry has been studied.•Copper(II) metal-organic frameworks were designed from 1,8-naphthalimide tecton.•π…π stacking and intermolecular hydrogen bonding lead to the supramolecular structure.•Copper(II) complexes of 1,8-naphthalimide with sulfate ion lead to the formation of a 1D coordination polymer.