Construction of three low dimensional Zn(II) complexes based on different organic-carboxylic acids

Three new Zn(II) complexes based on different organic-carboxylic acids, [Zn(mba)₂(2,2′-bipy)] (1), [Zn(mpdaH)₂(H₂O)₄] · 4H₂O (2) and [Zn(cda)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (3) (Hmba = 4-methylbenzoic acid, H₂mpda = 2,6-dimethylpyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid and H₂cda = chelidonic acid) have been synthesized successfully under hydrothermal conditions. X-ray single crystal diffractions show that compounds 1 and 2 are the mononuclear and 3 is one-dimensional chain, in which the Zn(II) centers have different coordination geometries with octahedron for 1 and 2 and tetrahedron for 3. Through π-π stacking and/or hydrogen bonding (O-H?O and O-H?N) interactions, different supramolecular structures are assembled, namely, 2D supramolecular layer for 1 and 3D supramolecular networks for 2 and 3. Furthermore, the IR, TGA and luminescent properties are also investigated in this work.     

3D supramolecular network assembly and thermal decomposition of new copper(II) complexes with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Four new Cu(II) complexes [Cu(pzda)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 2.5H₂O (1), [Cu(pzda)(phen)(H₂O)] · H₂O (2), [Cu(pzda)(4,4′-bpy)] · H₂O (3) and [Cu(pzda)(bpe)_0.5(H₂O)] (4) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of copper salt (acetate or sulphate) with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂pzda), and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethane (bpe), respectively. For 1 and 2, they are both monomeric entities which are further assembled into 3D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Complex 3 has a 2D metal-organic framework which is connected into 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds. However, for 4, the bpe ligand bridges two Cu(II) ions into binuclear unit, and then the binuclear molecules are assembled into 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds between the coordination water molecule and the carboxylate oxygen atoms. The thermal decomposition mechanism of complexes 1 and 2 cooperated with powder XRD at different temperatures is discussed. The results reveal that once liberation of water molecules takes place the supramolecular network of 1 and 2 collapses.     

Dinuclear nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 2,6-bis[{bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol

Reaction of the symmetrical proligand H₂L with metal(II) acetate and a counteranion to promote crystallisation has given the homodinuclear complexes [Zn₂L(OAc)₂](BF₄)]·2MeOH and [Ni₂L(OAc)₂](BF₄)]·2MeOH the crystal structures of which are reported. These show the presence of a triply bridging (μ-cresolato)bis(μ-carboxylato) dimetal core.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mercury(II) complexes with a novel ferrocenyliminophosphine

Synthesis of the novel ligand ferrocenyliminophosphine [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)CHN(C₆H₄-2-PPh₂)}] (1, L) and studies on its complexation properties with mercury (II) are reported. Halogen-bridged binuclear mercury (II) complexes [HgX(μ-X)L]₂ (X = Cl (2a), Br (2b)) and a mononuclear mercury (II) complex HgCl₂L₂ (4a) have been obtained under different reaction conditions. In both cases, the ferrocenyliminophosphine acts as a P-monodentate ligand and the imino nitrogen does not participate in coordination to mercury (II). All the new compounds 1, 2a, 2b and 4a were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and IR spectra. In addition, structures of 2a and 4a have been determined by X-ray single-crystal analysis.     

Metal-N-saccharide chemistry: synthesis and structure determination of two Cu(II) complexes containing glycosylamines

Two new complexes [Cu(N,N',N"-(D-Glc)3-tren)Cl]Cl (1) and [Cu(N,N',N"-(maltose)-tren)]Cl2.H2O (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elementary analysis, and the IR and UV spectra suggest that complex 1 and complex 2 are arranged in trigonal bipyramidal configuration and square-pyramidal configuration, respectively. The crystal structure of complex 1 has been determined by X-ray diffraction as: a = 9.3476(8), b = 17.4236(13), c = 9.7836(8) angstroms, beta = 91.197 degrees, and V = 1593.1(2) Angstroms3, Z = 2, and R = 0.0325, which shows that three secondary amine groups (N-1, N-2, N-3) of the glycosylamine ligand forms the equatorial plane, and the tertiary amine (N-4) and one Cl- are located at the apical positions.     

Syntheses and characterizations of two lanthanide(III)-copper(II) coordination polymers constructed by pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

The hydrothermal reaction of La₂O₃ and Pr₂O₃ with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂pydc), CuO, and H₂O with a mole ratio of 1:2:4:300 resulted in the formation of two polymeric Cu(II)-Ln(III) complexes, [{Ln₄Cu₂(pydc)₈(H₂O)₈} · 18H₂O]_n (Ln = La (1); Pr (2)). 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/c. Complexes 1 and 2 have one-dimensional infinite chains with “∞” shape. The 1D chains are linked by the hydrogen bonds and π?π stacking interactions to form layer structures which are further linked by the hydrogen bonds and π?π stacking interactions to form the three-dimensional (3D) structures with nanoscale porosities. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities and the thermal stabilities of complexes 1 and 2 were studied.     

Fluorous interactions in complexes of lead(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate

Structure determinations for 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline adducts of lead(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate, [Pb(bipy)₂(hfacac)₂] (1), [Pb(bipy)(hfacac)₂] (2), and [Pb(phen)(hfacac)₂] (3), show that the balance of intermolecular forces within the lattices is seemingly sensitive to the adduct stoichiometry but not to the nature of the heteroaromatic base. In 3, a structure, in which there is an apparent preference for CF/aromatic interactions over separate CF/CF and aromatic/aromatic interactions, is essentially identical at both 120 and 293 K.     

Crystal structures of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with the free radical 4-aminoTEMPO

Pt(II) and Pd(II) compounds containing the free radical 4-aminoTEMPO (4amTEMPO) were synthesized and characterised by X-ray diffraction methods. The disubstituted complexes cis- and trans-Pt(4amTEMPO)₂I₂ were studied. The trans isomer was prepared from the isomerisation of the cis analogue. The two Pd(II) compounds trans-Pd(4amTEMPO)₂X₂ (X = Cl and I) were also characterised by crystallographic methods. A mixed-ligand complex cis-Pt(DMSO)(4amTEMPO)Cl₂ was synthesized from the isomerisation of the trans isomer in hot water. Its crystal structure was also determined. In all the complexes, the 4amTEMPO ligand is bonded to the metal through the -NH₂ group, since the nitroxide O atom is not a good donor atom for the soft Pt(II) and Pd(II) metals. The conformation of the 4-aminoTEMPO ligand was compared to those of the few reported structures in the literature.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of a tripodal ligand containing imidazoles

Two complexes of the formula [MH₃L](ClO₄)₂ [M = Cu(II) (1), Ni(II) (2)] have been prepared by the reaction of M(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with the ligand (H₃L) formed by the Schiff base condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) with three molar equivalents of 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde and structurally and magnetically characterized. The structures of 1 and 2 are isomorphous with each other and with the iron(II) complex of H₃L which has been reported previously. The ligand, while potentially heptadentate, forms six coordinate complexes with both metal centers forming three M-N_imine and three M-N_imidazole bonds. The tren central N atom is at a nonbonded distance from M of 3.261 Å for 1 and 3.329 Å for 2. The neutral complex CuHL 3 was prepared by reaction of H₃L with Cu(OCH₃)₂ and the ionic complex Na[NiL] 4 was prepared by deprotonation of 2 with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Magnetic measurements of 1-3 are consistent with the spin-only values expected for S = 1/2 (d⁹, Cu(II)) and S = 1 (d⁸, Ni (II)) systems.     

Structure and luminescence of sodium and lanthanide(III) coordination polymers with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

A series of coordination polymers constructed by sodium, lanthanide(III), and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (dipic),NaLn(dipic)₂ · 7H₂O (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb), have been prepared under a hydrothermal condition. The crystal structures of the three compounds which are isostructual were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two-dimensional layers found in the compounds are built up from six-folded {NaO₆} polyhedra and nine-folded {LnN₂O₇} polyhedra, these being edge-shared each other along the c axis and bridged by carboxylate groups of dipic along the b axis, respectively. This two-dimensional framework provides cavities inside the layer and interlayer spaces outside the layer for accommodation of the two dipic molecules coordinated to a lanthanide(III) ions. The dehydrated materials obtained by heating the as-synthesized crystals at 200 °C held their crystal structure, and absorbed the same amounts of water molecules as those of the as-synthesized crystals upon the exposure of 100% relative humidity at room temperature. The Eu and Tb compounds showed strong red and green emissions, respectively, due to an energy transfer from dipic molecules to trivalent emission ions.     

Three Mn(II) supramolecular coordination complexes containing carboxylate-tetrazolate ligands

Three novel complexes [Mn(atza)₂(H₂O)₄] (1), [Mn(nptza)₂(CH₃OH)₄] (2), and [Mn(a4-ptz)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · 2nH₂O] (3) [atza = 5-aminotetrazole-1-acetato, nptza = 5-[(4-nitryl)phenyl] tetrazole-1-acetato, a4-ptz = 5-[N-acetato(4-pyridyl)] tetrazole] containing carboxylate-tetrazolate ligands have been synthesized and characterized by element analysis. X-ray crystallography shows that complexes 1 and 2 both contain mononuclear structure. The complex 3 is a 1D polymeric chain structure. Compounds 1-3 are self-assembled to form supramolecular structures through hydrogen bonds interactions.     

Crystal structures and catalytic activities of Zn(II) compounds containing 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane

The structures of new compounds containing Zn(II) ions and bpp (1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane) ligands have been determined. The coordinating halides (Br⁻ or Cl⁻) produce one-dimensional compounds 6 and 7, and intra- and inter-chain CH?X (X = Br or I) interactions play roles for building crystal structures with the flexible bpp ligands. The non-coordinating anions do not produce hydroxyl bridged zinc cations or polymeric compounds, and produce only a monomeric complex 4 containing four bpp ligands and two water ligands. Previously reported polymeric compounds 1 and 2 containing hydroxyl-bridged zinc cations [Zn₂OH] were found to carry out the catalytic transesterification of a range of esters with methanol at room temperature under the mild conditions, whereas the rest of compounds did not catalyze the transesterification reactions at all. In addition, the catalysts 1 and 2 have shown even better catalytic activity than zinc salts Zn(NO₃)₂ and Zn(OTf)₂.     

Unusual dimeric Zn(II)-cytosine complexes: new models of the interaction of Zn(II) with DNA and RNA

Synthesis and crystal structure of two Zn(II) dimer complexes with 1-methylcytosine (1-MeC) are reported. In complex [Zn(2)Cl(4)(mu-1-MeC-O2,N3)(2)] (1), two 1-MeC ligands are bridging two ZnCl(2) moieties. In [Zn(2)(1-MeC-N3)(4)(mu-SO(4))(2)].2H(2)O (2), the sulfates act as bridging ligands and 1-MeC are linked via N3 to Zn(II) as terminal ligands. Both complexes represent the first examples of Zn(II)-pyrimidine dimers. The potential biological significance of 1 and 2 is discussed.     

Chains and channels in polynuclear copper(II) complexes with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) as bridging ligand; syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties

The preparation and crystal structures for three Cu(II) polynuclear, chain complexes with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) as bridging ligand are reported, [Cu(dpp)(H₂O)₂]_n(NO₃)_2n·2n/3H₂O (1), [Cu(dpp)(H₂O)₂]_n(CF₃SO₃)_2n (2), and [Cu(dpp)(H₂O)₂]_n(BF₄)_2n·2nH₂O (3). For the latter compound the crystal structure at four different temperatures have been studied. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data and ESR measurements of 1–3 and of the related copper(II) chain [Cu(dpp)(H₂O)₂]_n(ClO₄)_2n·2nH₂O (4) (whose structure was previously reported) have been performed. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the same trigonal space group, R c; 3 is orthorhombic, space group Pbca. Complexes 1 and 2 are built of linear dpp-bridged chains which extend along threefold screw axes. The copper atom has in each case an elongated octahedral geometry with pyrazine nitrogen atoms in axial positions. The prominent feature of the crystal packing is the supramolecular arrangement of six chains around a threefold inversion axis, creating channels housing the counter ions, and in the case of 1, also crystal water. In 3 the chain is zig–zag shaped and extends along a twofold screw axis. Counter ions and crystal water are situated in channels formed between four symmetry related chains. At room temperature (r.t.) the X-ray results show a copper ion with a compressed octahedral coordination geometry, pyrazine and pyridyl nitrogen atoms binding in equatorial and axial positions, respectively. The low temperature X-ray studies of 3 show significant changes in the copper coordination geometry, strongly suggesting that the apparent compressed geometry at r.t. is due to a dynamic Jahn–Teller distortion. The CuCu separations across the bridging dpp at r.t. are, 7.133(1) (1), 7.228(1) (2), 7.005(1) (3) and 7.002(2) Å (4). X-band ESR spectra of 1 and 2 exhibit the pattern of Cu(II) in elongated geometry (g>g>2.0), whereas those of 3 and 4 exhibit inverse (g>g>2.0) patterns with a shoulder in the perpendicular signal. Complexes 1–4 exhibit a Curie law behaviour with very weak intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling, the relevant magnetic parameters being J=−0.27 cm⁻¹, g=2.11 for 1, J=−0.17 cm⁻¹, g=2.09 for 2, J=−1.38 cm⁻¹, g=2.15 for 3, and J=−1.36 cm⁻¹, g=2.14 for 4 (the Hamiltonian being =−JS_AS_B).     

Initial employment of pyridine-2-amidoxime in zinc(II) chemistry: Synthetic, structural and spectroscopic studies of mononuclear and dinuclear complexes

The first employment of pyridine-2-amidoxime [(py)C(NH₂)NOH] in zinc(II) chemistry is reported. The syntheses, crystal structures, and spectroscopic characterization are described for complexes [Zn(O₂CR)₂{(py)C(NH₂)NOH}₂] (R = Me; 1, Ph; 2), [Zn₂(acac)₂{(py)C(NH₂)NO}₂] (3), and [Zn(NO₃){(py)C(NH₂)NOH}₂](NO₃) (4). The reactions between Zn(O₂CR)₂·2H₂O (R = Me, Ph) or Zn(NO₃)₂·5H₂O and two equivalents of (py)C(NH₂)NOH in MeOH led to mononuclear compounds 1, 2 and 4, respectively. All three complexes contain two neutral N,N′-chelating (η²) (py)C(NH₂)NOH ligands, coordinated through the N_pyridyl and N_oxime atoms. In contrast, the use of Zn(acac)₂·H₂O in place of Zn(O₂CR)₂·2H₂O gives the dinuclear compound 3, which instead contains the anionic, η¹:η¹:η¹:μ bridging form of the organic ligand; the Zn^II atoms are doubly bridged by the diatomic oximate groups of the (py)C(NH₂)NO⁻ groups. Strong intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions provide appreciable thermodynamic stability and interesting supramolecular chemistry for compounds 1-4. The photoluminescence properties of complexes 1-4 recorded in the solid state at room temperature are also presented.     

Coordinative versatility of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L) to different metal ions: syntheses, crystal structures and properties of [Cu(I)L]2 and [ML] (M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II))

The complexes of Cu(I), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) with a new polypyridyl ligand, 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of these complexes have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction analyses and three types of coordination modes for L were found to exist in them. In the dinuclear complex [Cu(I)L(CH₃CN)]₂·(ClO₄)₂ (1), L acts as a tridentate ligand with two Cu(I) centers bridged by two L ligands to form a box-like dimeric structure, in which each Cu(I) ion is penta-coordinated with three nitrogen atoms and a methoxyl oxygen atom of two L ligands, and an acetonitrile. In [Cu(II)L(NO₃)₂]·CH₃CN 2, the Cu(II) center is coordinated to the two nitrogen atoms of the two pyridine rings of L which acts as a bidentate ligand. The structures of [Ni(II)L(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]·2CH₃CN·NO₃ (3), [Zn(II)L(NO₃)₂ (H₂O)]·2CH₃CN (4) and [Co(II)LCl₂(H₂O)] (5) are similar to each other in which L acts as a tridentate ligand by using its half side, and the metal centers are coordinated to a methoxyl oxygen atom and two bipyridine nitrogen atoms of L in the same side. The formation of infinite quasi-one-dimensional chains (1, 4 and 5) or a quasi-two-dimensional sheet (2) assisted by the intra- or intermolecular face-to-face aryl stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds may have stabilized the crystals of these complexes. Luminescence studies showed that 1 exhibits broad, structureless emissions at 420 nm in the solid state and at 450 nm in frozen alcohol frozen glasses at 77 K. Cyclic voltammetric studies of 1 show the presence of an irreversible metal-centered reduction wave at approximately −0.973 V versus Fc^+/0 and a quasi-reversible ligand-centered reduction couple at approximately −1.996 V versus Fc^+/0. The solution behaviors of these complexes have been further studied by UV-Vis and ESR techniques.     

Equilibrium and structural studies on Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid: crystal structures of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Combined pH-metric, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and EPR spectral investigations on the complex formation of M(II) ions (M=Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid (H₂bzimida, hereafter H₂L) in aqueous solution at a fixed ionic strength, I=10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³, at 25 ± 1 °C indicate the formation of M(L), M(H₋₁L)⁻ and M₂(H₋₁L)⁺ complexes. Proton-ligand and metal-ligand constants and the complex formation equilibria have been elucidated. Solid complexes, [M(L)(H₂O)₂] · nH₂O (n=1 for M = Co and Zn, n=2 for M = Ni) and {Cu (μ-L) · 4H₂O}_n, have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, conductance and magnetic measurements and thermal studies. Structures of [Ni(L)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O and {Cu(μ-L) · 4H₂O}_n have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The nickel(II) complex exists in a distorted octahedral environment in which the metal ion is coordinated by the two carboxylate O atoms, the amino-N atom of the iminodiacetate moiety and the pyridine type N-atom of the benzimidazole moiety. Two aqua O atoms function as fifth and sixth donor atoms. The copper(II) complex is made up of interpenetrating polymeric chains of antiferromagnetically coupled Cu(II) ions linked by carboxylato bridges in syn-anti (apical-equatorial) bonding mode and stabilized via interchain hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions.     

New butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylato bridged cobalt(II) complexes

Four butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylato bridged supramolecular complexes [Co₂(H₂O)₅(BTC)]·2H₂O 1, [Co₂(H₂O)₅(BTC)]·2H₂O 2, [Co₂(H₂O)₆(bpy)₂(BTC)]·4H₂O 3 and [Co₂(H₂O)₂(bpy)₂(BTC)] 4, (H₄BTC = butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid, 2,2-bpy = 2,2-bipydine) are synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. IR spectroscopy, TG-DTA analyses, elemental analyses, powder X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements for 3 and 4 are carried out. The dinuclear Co unit in 2 is bridged by BTC⁴⁻ anions into 2D layers, which are assembled via interlayer hydrogen bonds into a 3D (4⁴·6²)(4⁵·6⁵)₂(4⁶·6⁸·8) topological supramolecular architecture. In 3, the [Co₂(H₂O)₆(bpy)₂(BTC)] molecules are aggregated to 2D layers via π-π stacking interactions, the resulting layers are engaged in hydrogen bonding leading to a novel 3D supramolecular architecture with the schläfli symbol of (10².12)₂(4.10²)₂(4².10².12²). The Co atoms in 4 are linked by BTC⁴⁻ anions into a 1D chain, then the hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions result in formation of a 3D novel (4³.6².8)₂(4⁶.6⁶.8³)(6³)₂ topological networks. The variable temperature magnetic characterizations on 3 and 4 suggest weak antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic coupling exchange via π···π stacking interactions (J = -0.03 cm⁻¹ for 3, J = 0.11 cm⁻¹ for 4).     

Steric influence on platinum(II) ascorbate complexes

From the reaction between dihydroxoplatinum(II) and l-ascorbic acid, two types of platinum(II) ascorbate complexes were obtained and structurally characterized with ethylenediamine (en), N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) and N,N,N′-trimethylethylenediamine (trimen) as stabilizing ligands. In [Pt(en)(asc-C,O)] (1), [Pt(dmen)(asc-C,O)] (2) and [Pt(trimen)(asc-C,O)] (4), the ascorbate dianion forms a five-membered chelate ring, coordinating to the Pt(II) ion at the 2-carbon and the 5-oxygen atoms (C,O-chelate). From the same mother solution, crystals of [Pt(trimen)(asc-O,O′)] (3) were obtained during the precipitation of 4; in 3 the ascorbate is bound to the Pt at the 2- and 3-oxygen atoms (O,O′-chelate). Compounds 3 and 4 are the first well-characterized linkage isomers among the transition-metal ascorbate complexes. The O,O′-chelated 3 slowly changes to the C,O-chelated 4 in an aqueous solution. Bulkiness of the stabilizing ligand, i.e. en, dmen and trimen has an influence on the formation of the C,O-chelated species, 1, 2 and 4.     

Squarato-metal(II) complexes. 1: Structural and magnetic characterization of squarato-bridged dinuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A new series of dinuclear squarato-bridged nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes [Ni₂(2,3,2-tet)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ni₂(aepn)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₂(pmedien)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂.4H₂O (3) and [Cu₂(DPA)₂(μ_1,2-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4) where is the dianion of 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-en-1,2-dione (squaric acid), 2,3,2-tet = 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane, aepn = N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, pmedien = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and DPA = di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The spectral and structural characterization as well as the magnetic behaviour of these complexes is reported. In this series, structures consist of the groups as counter ions and the bridging the two M(II) centers in a μ-1,3- (1-3) and in a μ-1,2-bis(monodentate) (4) bonding fashions. The coordination geometry around the Ni(II) ions in 1 and 2 is six-coordinate with distorted octahedral environment achieved by N atoms of the amines and by one or two oxygen atoms from coordinated water molecules, respectively. In the Cu(II) complexes 3 and 4, a distorted square pyramidal geometry is achieved by the three N-atoms of the aepn or DPA and by an oxygen atom from a coordinated water molecule. The electronic spectra of the complexes in aqueous solutions are in complete agreement with the assigned X-ray geometry around the M(II) centers. The complexes show weak antiferromagnetic coupling with ∣J∣ = 1.8-4.2 cm⁻¹ in the μ-1,3- bridged squarato compounds 1-3, and J = −16.1 cm⁻¹ in the corresponding μ-1,2- bridged squarato complex 4. The magnetic properties are discussed in relation to the structural data.