Experimental

R factor = 0.034; wR factor = 0.087; data-to-parameter ratio = 14.7. The reaction of lead(II) nitrate and benzoic acid in aqueous solution yields the title polymer, [Pb(C7H5O2)2(H2O)]n. The asymmetric unit contains one PbII ion, two benzoate ligands and one water molecule. The Pb—O bond distances are in the range 2.494 (4)–2.735 (4) Å. The Pb Pb distance is 4.0683 (4) Å, indicating an insignificant metal–metal inter-action. The PbII atom has a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry chelated by two carboxylate O atoms. The Pb atoms are bridged through a coordinating water molecule and two carboxylate O atoms from another two benzoate ligands, giving an infinite three-dimensional supramolecular structure. O—H O hydrogen-bonding interactions involved the coor-dinating water and carboxylate O atoms enhance the stability of the supramolecular arrangement. Related literature For general background to lead(II) compounds, see: Shi et al