Templation of a square grid copper(II) 4,4'-bipyridine network by a 3D PtS-related Cu(I)-Cu(II) 4,4'-bipyridine crystal

Two cationic networks, [Cu(I)Cu(II)(4,4'bipy)4(H2O)2](3+) and [Cu(II)(4,4'bipy)2(H2O)2](2+) have been formed from a solution in which Cu(I) undergoes aerial oxidation. Whilst the topologies of the two networks are different the arrangement of Cu centres is almost identical, a structural feature which presumably allows for [Cu(I)Cu(II)(4,4'bipy)4(H2O)2](3+) to serve as a crystalline template for [Cu(II)(bipy)2(H2O)2](2+).