A novel inorganic–organic hybrid borate, poly{[Na2(C4H2O4)(H3BO3)(H2O)4]·H3BO3}

The structure of the title compound, catena-poly[[[di-μ-aqua-μ-fumarato-μ-(boric acid)-disodium]-di-μ-aqua] boric acid monosolvate], contains two crystallographically independent Na+ cations, each being six-coordinated by one fumarate O atom, one boric acid O atom and four water O atoms in a distorted octahedral geometry. Adjacent [NaO2(OH2)4] units share edges and are linked into chains propagating parallel to [100]. The free boric acid molecules are connected to the chains through strong intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Additional O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the water molecules, the free and coordinated boric acid molecules and the fumarate anion lead to the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. With the exception of the two water molecules, all other atoms lie on mirror planes