The flexible bidentate ligand m-bitmb [1, 3-bis(1-imidazolylmethyl)-2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzene] assembles with Cu(ClO4)2.6H2O to give a complex [Cu2(m-bitmb)4](ClO4)4.H2O, which crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/n with a=1.3950(3) nm, b=2.0742(4) nm, c=1.3997(3) nm, β=96.19(3)°, V=4.026(14) nm^3, Z=2, Dc=1.373 g/cm^3, F(000)=1728, R1=0.0598, wR2=0.1491, GOOF=0.906. In the title complex, each ligand m-bitmb adopts cis-mode and binds with the two Cu(Ⅱ) ions via its two arms and each Cu(Ⅱ) ion coordinates with four ligands in square planar geometry to form a cage-like supramolecular cation, within which resides a disordered ClO^-~4. The other three ClO^-~4 ions and a H2O molecule are present outside. Weak π-π interactions between the phenyl rings of every two nearest cationic cages lead to the formation of 1D chain along the c axis.

Key words: IMIDAZOLE P, COPPER COMPLEX, LIGANDS, DINUCLEAR COMPLEX, CRYSTAL STRUCTURE, SUPERMOLECULAR STRUCTURE