Aqua{2-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-[(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]ethanamine-κ3N,N′,N′′}(sulfato-κ2O,O′)copper(II) tetrahydrate

The title complex, [Cu(SO4)(C13H13N3)(H2O)]·4H2O, was obtained by mixing copper sulfate pentahydrate and 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylidene)ethanamine in ethanol under reflux conditions. The CuII ion shows a Jahn–Teller-distorted octahedral geometry, with equatorial positions occupied by three N atoms from the tridentate ligand (average Cu—N = 2.004 ) and one O atom from a bidentate sulfate anion [Cu—O = 1.963 (2) ]. The axial positions are occupied by one O atom from a coordinating water molecule [Cu—O = 2.230 (3) ] and one weakly bonded O atom [Cu—O = 2.750 (2) ] from the bidentate sulfate ion. The complex molecules are connected through O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the coordinating water molecules and sulfate ions from neighboring complexes, forming a double chain parallel to the c axis. The chains are stabilized through additional hydrogen bonds by one of the non-coordinating water molecules bridging between neighboring strands of the double chains. The remaining three water molecules fill the interstitial space between the double chains and are involved in an intricate hydrogen-bonding network that consolidates the structure.