View of part of a ribbon with uranium coordination polyhedra in yellow and hydrogen bonds shown as dotted lines

One-dimensional uranium–organic framework in catena-poly[[di-μ2-hydroxido-bis[dioxouranium(VI)]]-di-μ2-2-pyridyl­acetato-κ³O,N:O′;κ³O:O′,N]

Acta Cryst. (2008). C64, m50-m52 [doi:10.1107/S010827010706249X]

Carboxylic acid derivatives of pyridine are among the commonest ligands for the design of uranyl–organic frameworks, but 2-pyridylacetic acid had never been used in this context. In its complex with the linear uranyl ion formed under hydrothermal conditions, the metal atom is O,N-chelated and dimerization occurs through double hydroxide bridges. Further bridging of these dimeric subunits by acetate groups gives rectilinear, polymeric ribbons. Twelve-membered rings are defined by proximal dimers in the ribbons, with two intra-ring hydrogen bonds involving the hydroxide and carboxylate groups.