[Cu(imidazole)2(CO3)]*H2O: An intermediate in the formation of the copper bis-imidazolate polymer (blue phase)

The crystal structure of [Cu(Him)2(CO3)].H2O, determined from conventional X-ray powder diffraction methods, allowed to clarify, on the basis of a structural interpretation of the chemical transformation, the role of the title compound in the formation of the blue phase of Cu(im)2 [Cu(Him)(2)(CO3)].H2O is triclinic, P-1; a = 8.8565(7), b = 8.9579(5), c = 8.3705(6) Angstrom, alpha = 105.728(4)°, beta = 105.318(3)°, gamma = 114.369(4)°; final R-wp, R-p and R-F agreement factors, for 4700 data collected in the 11-105° range, are 0.053, 0.036 and 0.078, respectively.