Synthesis and crystal structure of a new coordination polymer based on lanthanum and 1,4-phenyl­enedi­acetate ligands

Reaction in gel between the sodium salt of 1,4-phenyl­enedi­acetic acid (Na(2)C(10)O(4)H(8)–Na(2) p-pda) and lanthanum chloride yields single crystals of the three-dimensional coordination polymer poly[[tetra­aqua­tris­(μ-1,4-phenyl­enedi­acetato)­dilanthanum(III)] octa­hydrate], {[La(2)(C(10)H(8)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(4)]·8H(2)O}(∞). The La(III) coordination polyhedron can be described as a slightly distorted monocapped square anti­prism. One of the two p-pda(2−) ligands is bound to four La(III) ions and the other to two La(III) ions. Each La(III) atom is coordinated by five ligands, thereby generating a metal–organic framework with potential porosity properties.