LAUSR

Abstract A hydrogen-bonded hexanuclear cluster-based supramolecular coordination compound {[Cu4(phen)4(OH)4(H2O)2][Cu(EDTA)]2·14H2O}n (1) (phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline, EDTA4- = full deprotonated ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) has been isolated through the self-assembly of aromatic diimine ligand phen and sexadentate ligand EDTA4- with acetate copper(II). The [Cu4(phen)4(OH)4(H2O)2][Cu(EDTA)]2·14H2O unit contains a centrally chair-like stepped hydroxy-bridged tetranuclear [Cu4(phen)4(OH)4(H2O)2]4+ cationic cluster, two opposite EDTA4- chelated mononuclear [Cu(EDTA)]2- coordination anions, and fourteen free water molecules. The discrete [Cu4(phen)4(OH)4(H2O)2][Cu(EDTA)]2·14H2O unit is extended to a 3D supramolecular structure {[Cu4(phen)4(OH)4(H2O)2][Cu(EDTA)]2·14H2O}n (1) by van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds. The structure of 1 has been defined by single crystal X-ray diffractometer (SCXRD), and well-characterized by a series of technologies, such as infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. In addition, the photocurrent response, electrochemistry and luminescence properties have also been investigated.