(μ-4,4′-Bipyridine-κ2N:N′)bis[triaqua(4,4′-bipyridine-κN)(3-nitrophthalato-κO2)cobalt(II)]

The title binuclear complex, [Co2(C8H3NO6)2(C10H8N2)3(H2O)6], has been synthesized hydrothermally from 3-nitrophthalic acid (H2NPA), Co(NO3)2·6H2O and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy). The molecule of the complex occupies a special position on an inversion centre. The CoII atom has a slightly distorted octahedral environment formed by two N atoms from two 4,4′-bipy ligands, one carboxylate O atom from NPA, and three O atoms of water molecules. An extensive O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen-bonding system links molecules of the complex into a three-dimensional network.