Poly[[µ3-2-(carboxylatomethyl)benzoato-κ3O1:O2:O2]bis(1H-imidazole-κN3)copper(II)].

In the title polymeric compound, [Cu(C(9)H(6)O(4))(C(3)H(4)N(2))(2)](n), the copper(II) cation occupies an N(2)O(3) coordination sphere defined by two 1H-imidazole (imid) ligands in trans positions and three carboxylate O atoms from three different 2-(carboxylatomethyl)benzoate (hpt(2-)) dianions. The geometry is that of a square pyramid with one of the O atoms at the apex, bridging neighbouring metal centres into an [-ON(2)CuO(2)CuN(2)O-] dinuclear unit. These units are in turn connected by hpt anions into a reticular mesh topologically characterized by two types of loops, viz. a four-membered Cu(2)O(2) diamond motif and a 32-membered Cu(4)O(8)C(20) ring. The imid groups do not take part in the formation of the two-dimensional structure, but take part in the N-H···O interactions. These arise only within individual planes, interplanar interactions being only of the van der Waals type.