Synthesis and crystal structure of a new coordination polymer based on lanthanum and 1,4-phenylenediacetate ligands

Reaction in gel between the sodium salt of 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid (Na2C10O4H8–Na2 p-pda) and lanthanum chloride yields single crystals of the three-dimensional coordination polymer poly[[tetraaquatris(μ-1,4-phenylenediacetato)dilanthanum(III)] octahydrate], {[La2(C10H8O4)3(H2O)4]·8H2O}∞. The LaIII coordination polyhedron can be described as a slightly distorted monocapped square antiprism. One of the two p-pda2− ligands is bound to four LaIII ions and the other to two LaIII ions. Each LaIII atom is coordinated by five ligands, thereby generating a metal–organic framework with potential porosity properties.