Hexagonal prismatic dodecameric water cluster: a building unit of the five-fold interpenetrating six-connected supramolecular network

An experimental (H(2)O)(n) (n > 10) aggregate, similar to a theoretical hexagonal prismatic dodecameric water cluster structure, is characterized, the water cluster can be reversibly generated. The hydrogen bonds between the water clusters and bis(imidazolyl) ligand result in the formation of a five-fold interpenetrating six-connected supramolecular network.