Abstract
The crystal and molecular structure of [Ba(dnp)2(OH2)5], where dnp is 2,4-dinitrophenoxide, has been determined at room temperature. The coordination number of the barium atom is nine with two phenoxide atoms, one nitro oxygen atom and six water molecules providing a O9 donor set that defines a distorted capped square antiprismatic geometry. The presence of bridging water molecules leads to the formation of dinuclear barium entities that are further linked to each other via hydrogen bonds (involving the water molecules) which in turn results in the construction of two-dimensional networks. Successive layers are linked by the dnp molecules via weak Ba . . . O interactions (>3.2 Å) as well as hydrogen bonds. Evidence is found for both intra- and inter-molecular base stacking.