The novel sheet-like copper(II) compound of formula {[Cu(H2O)3][Cu(Phmal)2]}n (1) (Phmal = dianion of phenylmalonic acid) has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of 21 chains of carboxylate(phenylmalonate)-bridged copper(II) ions which are linked through double μ-oxo(carboxylate) units to afford a two-dimensional network. The interlayer space is filled by the phenyl rings of the phenylmalonate ligands that exhibit offset face-to-face interactions. Variable-temperature magnetic measurements of 1 show the occurrence of significant intralayer ferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions through anti–syn carboxylate- and double μ-oxo-bridges which are analyzed and discussed in the light of the values found in related magneto-structurally characterized systems.
![Graphical abstract: {[Cu(H2O)3][Cu(phmal)2]}n: a new two-dimensional copper(ii) complex with intralayer ferromagnetic interactions (phmal = phenylmalonate dianion)](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/B304471H.jpg)
