Synthesis and structural characterization of the sodium salt of a new sulfonate-containing water soluble N-donor ligand--self-assembly in the solid state by pi-pi stacking interactions.

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and X-ray crystal structure of the sodium salt of a new sulfonated water-soluble ligand, sodium 2-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamino)-benzenesulfonate (L) are described. Compound L crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group Pbcn, orthorhombic, a=31.930(13) A, b=7.153(3) A,c=14.193(6) A, alpha=90.00, beta=90.00, gamma=90.00, V=3220(2) A(3), Z=9. pi-pi stacking contacts involving interactions between the pi-donor benzene and the pi-acceptor pyridine systems reinforce and direct the self-assembly of the structural motifs in the solid state.