Abstract: A supramolecular compound, [Co(2,2'-bipy)(H₂O)₄][trans-1,4-chdc] (compound 1) (2,2'-bipy=2,2'-bipyridine, 1,4-chdcH₂=1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid), was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectrometry, TG analysis, and elemental analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that [Co(2,2'-bipy)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ units and adjacent 1,4-chdc^2-formed a single layer by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions along the ac-plane, and two symmetry-related single layers interacted with each other by hydrogen bonding, resulting in a double layer, which further formed a 3-D structure by π-π stacking. The most attractive structural feature of compound 1 is that 1,4-chdc^2- possesses only trans-conformation although there are both cis- and trans-conformations in the raw material.

Key words: Isomer separation, 1,4-chdcH₂, Supramolecular compound, Hydrogen bonding