title: Helical catena-poly[[tris(1H-benzimidazole-kappaN(3))cobalt(II)]-micro-maleato-kappa(3)O,O':O"].
abstract: The crystal structure of the title compound, [Co(C(4)H(2)O(4))(C(7)H(6)N(2))(3)](n), consists of polymeric chains of the Co(II) complex. Two maleate dianions and three benzimidazole ligands coordinate to the Co(II) atom with a distorted octahedral geometry. The maleate dianions bridge neighbouring Co(II) atoms via both terminal carboxylic acid groups, one of which is monodentate and the other bidentate, to form a helical structure of alternating maleate dianions and Co(II) atoms, with a pitch height of 9.2667 (17) A. The absolute structure has been determined, and the crystal contains only right-handed helices. Intrahelical N-H...O hydrogen bonds stabilize the helical structure, while interhelical N-H...O hydrogen bonds link neighbouring helices to form the supramolecular structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Duan-Jun
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jian-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gu