Structural chemistry of lanthanidedicyclopentadienidehalides. Part 1. Two modifications of gadoliniumdicyclopentadienidebromide, [Gd(C5H5)2Br]2 and 1∞[Gd(C5H5)2Br]

The crystal structures of two modifications of gadoliniumdicyclopentadienidebromide, [Gd(C₅H₅)₂Br]₂ (I) and ¹_∞[Gd(C₅H₅)₂Br] (II) have been determined from X-ray diffraction data. I crystallizes in the [Sc(C₅H₅)₂Cl]₂-type structure, space group P2₁/c, with a=14.110(3), b=16.488(3), c= 13.765(3) Å, β=93.25(2)°, V=3197(2) ų, and D_c= 2.289 g cm⁻³ for Z=6 molecules. II crystallizes in space group P2₁/c with a=5.946(7), b=8.447(5), c=20.239(9) Å, β=90.11(4)°, V=1020(2) ų, D_c=2.392 g cm⁻³ for Z=4 formula units. The structures have been refined by full matrix least-squares techniques to conventional R factors of 0.034 for 3014 (I) and 1964 (II) reflections (with I>2σ(I)). I consists of dimers with two bromine bridges (mean GdBr 2.872 Å). II has a double chain structure with alternating juxtaposition of gadolinium and bromine atoms (GdBr 2.912 Å (once) and 3.133 Å (twice)). The arrangement of the C₅H₅ groups with regard to the metal η⁵ fashion) is nearly identical in I and II (mean GdC 2.63(1) Å (I) and 2.62(1) Å (II)). Single crystals of I and II are obtained by sublimation at different temperatures. The formation of both modifications is discussed as to its dependence on the state of the gaseous phase equilibrium [Gd(C₅H₅)₂Br]₂ ⇄ 2Gd(C₅H₅)₂Br. Obviously, I crystallizes from gaseous phase dimers while II forms from the monomers.     

Crystal structure of bis(pyrrole-N-carbothioate)bis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II), C46H38N2S2P2Ni

The crystal structure of Ni(C₄H₄NCOS)₂[(C₆H₅)₃P]₂, Ni(ptc)₂(Ph₃P)₂, has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. This species exists as a square planar complex. The structure is monoclinic, P2₁/n, a=12.759(4), b=10.069(2), c= 16.158(6) Å, and β=91.96(3)°. The unit cell contains 2 formula units with an observed density of 1.31 g cm⁻³ (1.34 calculated). The final R index= 0.047 (R_w=0.038) for 2618 non-zero reflections having I > 3 σ(I).     

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of tripodal dialkyl[1,2-bis(diethylcarbamoyl)ethyl]phosphonates with lanthanide nitrates

Trifunctional dialkyl [1,2-bis(diethylcarbamoyl)- ethyl] phosphonates, (RO)₂P(O)CH[C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂]- [CH₂C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂] R  CH₃, C₂H₅, i-C₃H₇, n-C₆H₁₃ were prepared from the respective sodium salts, Na[(RO)₂P(O)CHC(O)N(C₂H₅)₂] and N,N- diethylchloroacetamide, and they were characterized by elemental analysis, mass, infrared and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of (i-C₃H₇O)₂- P(O)CH[C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂][CH₂C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂] was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=15.589(6), b=9.783(4), c= 16.283(7) Å, β = 110.90(3)°, Z = 4 and V= 2320(2) ų. The structure was solved by direct methods and blocked least-squares refinement converged with Rf = 5.7% and R_wF= 4.4% on 2266 unique data with F>4σ(F). Important bond distances include PO 1.459(3) Å, CHCO 1.228(3) Å and CHCH₂CO 1.223(3) Å. The coordination chemistry of the ligand with several lanthanides was examined, and the structure of the complex Gd(NO₃)₃{[(i-C₃H₇O)₂P(O)CH[C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂][CH₂C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂]}₂·H₂O was determined. The complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 13.524(5), b = 22.033(4), c = 19.604(4) Å β = 106.22(2)°, Z = 4 and V= 5609(3) ų. The structure was solved by heavy atom techniques and blocked least-squares refinement converged with R_F = 5.9% and R_wF = 4.1% on 5275 reflections with F > 4σ(F). Both trifunctional ligands were found to bond to Gd(III) through only the phosphoryl oxygen atoms. The remainder of the Gd coordination sphere was composed of three bidentate nitrate oxygen atoms and an oxygen bonded water molecule. Several important bond distances include GdO(phosphoryl)_av = 2.343(5) Å, GdO(nitrate)_av = 2.475(7) Å, GdO(water) = 2.354(5) Å, PO(phosphoryl)_av = 1.467(6) Å, CHCO_av = 1.242(10) Å and CHCH₂CO_av = 1.209(11) Å.     

Coordination chemistry of lanthanides with cryptands. An X-ray and spectroscopic study of the complex Nd2(NO3)6 [C18H36O6N2]·H2O

By reacting neodymium nitrate hexahydrate with the cryptand 〈222〉 in methanol, the complex Nd₂-(NO₃)₆[C₁₈H₃₆O₆N₂]·H₂O was obtained and analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cell is triclinic P$\text{1}$ with a = 14.870(2) Å, b = 13.261(2) Å, c = 8.832(1) Å, α = 91.2(1)°, β = 93.4(1)°, γ = 87.6(1)°, Z = 2 and U = 1736.6 ų. The structure was refined by least-squares methods to the conventional R = 0.039 for 6177 observed reflections. The compound contains the cations [Nd〈222〉(NO₃)]²⁺ and the anions [Nd(NO₃)₅·H₂O]^2?, and is isostructural with the samarium analogue. Solid state fluorescence spectra of the title complex were measured at room and liquid nitrogen temperature, and the transitions ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2 analyzed.     

Comparative structural studies of the first row early transition metal(III) chloride tetrahydrofuran solvates

Two compounds of empirical formula MCl₃- (THF)₃, M = V and Cr, have been characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. The VCl₃(THF)₃ molecule, which has a mer octahedral stereochemistry, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a= 8.847(2),b= 12.861(5),c= 15.134(3) Å, β = 91.94(2)°, V = 1721(1) ų and Z = 4. The V-Ci(1) and V-CI(2) distances have a mean value of 2.330 [3] Å while V-CI(3) = 2.297(2) Å, The VO(1) and VO(2) distances have a mean value of 2.061[8] Å while V-O(3) = 2.102(3) Å cis ClVCl angles average 92.0[5]° and cis OVO angles average 86.2[2]° . The isostmctural complex, CrCl₃(THF)₃, has a crystal structure made up of discrete octahedral mer-CrCl₃(THF)₃ molecules with the following unit cell dimensions (space group P2₁/c): a = 8.715(1), b= 12.786(3), c = 15.122(3) Å, β = 92.15(1)°, V = 1684(1) ų and Z = 4. The CrCl(1) and CrCl(2) distances have a mean value of 2.310131 Å while CrCl(3) = 2.283(2) Å. The CrO(1) and CrO(2) distances have a mean value of 2.0101171 Å while CrO(3) = 2.077(4) Å. cis ClCrCl angles average 90.9[4]° and cis OCrO angles average 86.1 [2]°. The structures of these two octahedral complexes and those previously reported for ScCl₃(THF)₃ and TiCl₃(THF)₃ are compared and certain general trends are discussed.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and properties of the organothorium alkylthiolate complex [(CH3)5C5]2Th(SCH2CH2CH3)2

This contribution reports the synthesis and characterization of the organothorium alkylthiolate complex [(CH₃)₅C₅]₂Th(SCH₂CH₂CH₃)₂. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (#15) with four molecules in a cell of dimensions a=19.066(2), b=11.603(1), c=16.379(2) Å, and β=130.08(1)°. Least-squares refinement led to a value for the conventional R index (on F_o) of 0.040 for 132 variables and 2030 observations having F_o²⩾3σ(F_o²). The molecular structure consists of an unexceptional ‘bent sandwich’ [(CH₃)₅C₅]₂Th fragment coordinated to two n-propylthiolate ligands. The ThS bond distance is 2.718(3) Å; the SC(α) distance, 1.78(2) Å; the ThSC(α) angle, 108.3(5)°; and the SThS′ angle, 102.5(2)°. Contrasts are drawn with the structures of analogous actinide alkoxides     

Synthesis, 95Mo NMR spectra and x-ray crystal structure of MoO2(C14H11N2O)2(C2H5H)1 and Mo2O5(C14H11N2O)2(C2H5OH)1(H2O)1

The crystal structures and ⁹⁵Mo NMR spectra of two complexes formed between 2-α-hydroxybenzyl- benzimidazole (C₆H₅·CHOH·C₇H₅N₂=HOBB), as its sodium salt, and MoO₂Cl₂ are reported. [MoO₂- (OBB)₂]·EtOH (OBB=deprotonated HOBB) crystallizes in space group P2₁/n, with a=12.8441(7), b=15.917(3), c=13.314(2) Å, β=97.163(8)° and Z =4. The structure was determined from 3096 observed reflections and refined to a final R value of 0.030. The complex is a six coordinate cis-dioxo species, the ⁹⁵Mo spectrum of which shows a single sharp peak at 56 ppm in dimethylformamide (DMF). The second complex, [Mo₂O₅(OBB)₂]·EtOH·H₂O, crystallizes in space group Pbca, with a=22.482(4), b=16.442(3), c=18.407(3) Å and Z=8. The structure was determined from 2936 observed reflections and refined to a final R value of 0.061. The complex is a binuclear doubly bridged species in which one metal atom is six coordinate while the other is five coordinate. Its ⁹⁵Mo NMR spectrum in DMF shows a sharp peak at 124 ppm and a second broader much weaker peak at 51 ppm.     

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding: synthesis and crystal structure of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of a tetradentate amine oxime

In the reaction of the tetradentate ligand 3,3′-(1,4- butanediyldiamino) bis (3-methyl-2-butanone)-dioxime (BnAO) with nickel(II) and copper(II), the monomeric [Ni(BnAO-H)]I·H₂O and a mixed monomer/dimer salt [Cu(BnAO-H)H₂O]₂[(Cu(BnAO-H))₂](ClO₄)₄, respectively, are formed, and all complexes have an intramolecular hydrogen bond between cis oxime groups. The OHO bonds give the characteristic infrared absorptions as well as the downfield proton-NMR signal (Ni complex). [Ni(BnAO-H)]I·H₂O crystallizes in space group P2₁/a with a=13.511(2), b=10.599(2), c=14.096(2) Å, β=97.52°, Z=4 and D_c=1.623 g/cm³. The structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to a final R of 0.021 for 2124 reflections with I 2σ(I). The nickel(II) atom in the complex has slightly distorted square planar geometry with an intramolecular O···O contact of 2.417(7) Å. The copper(II) complex crystallizes in space group P2₁/c with a =13.425(2), b=21.446(3), c=14.349(4) Å, β= 104.4(5)°, Z=8 (monomers) and D_c=1.485 g/cm³. The final R value for this complex was 0.053 for 3033 reflections with I 2σ(I). This structure contains a monomeric [Cu(BnAO-H)H₂O]⁺ ion and a dimeric [(Cu(BnAO-H))₂]²⁺ ion, having intramolecular O···O hydrogen bonds of 2.421(5) and 2.531(5) Å, respectively. The copper(II) ions have square-pyramidal coordination with the axial positions occupied by an oxygen of the water of hydration in the monomer and by an oxime oxygen atom in the dimer. A center of symmetry relates the two halves of the dimer. The copper atom in each case is out of the plane of the four nitrogen atoms toward the axial site. The copper(II) complex is unusual in that the crystal contains both a monomer and a dimer.     

Preparation,properties and crystal structures of nickel(II) complexes with acyclic schiff bases derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-chlorophenol and 1,5-diamino-3-thiapentane or 3,3′-diamino-N-methyl-dipropylamine

Nickel(II) complexes with the compartmental Schiff bases derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-chlorophenol and 1,5-diamino-3-thiapentane (H₂L¹) or 3,3′-diamino-N-methyl-dipropylamine (H₂L²) were synthesized, and the crystal structures of [Ni(L¹)- (py)₂] and [Ni(L²)(dmf)]·H₂0 were determined by X-ray crystallography.Ni(L¹)(py)₂ is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a= 18.457(6), b = 11.116(7), c= 16.098(6) Å, and β = 115.79(5)°; D_c = 1.49 g cm⁻³ for Z = 4. The structure was refined to the final R of 6.9%. The molecule has C₂ symmetry. The nickel atom is six-coordinated octahedral. Selected bond lengths are: NiO 2.04(1) Å, NiN (L¹) 2.08(1) Å, NiN(py) 2.17(1) Å.[Ni(L²)(dmf)]·H₂O is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with a = 17.329(6), b = 13.322(7), c = 12.476(7) Å and β = 95.43(5)°; D_c = 1.45 g cm⁻³ for Z = 4. The structure was refined to the final R of 5.1%. The nickel atom is bonded in the octahedral geometry to the bianionic pentadentate ligand L² and to one molecule of dimethylformamide. Selected bond lengths are: NiO (charged) 2.063(3) Å (mean value), NiO (neutral) 2.120(3) Å, NiN (planar) 2.050(3) Å (mean value), NiN (tetrahedral) 2.177(3) Å.     

The structure of a dinuclear silver(I) complex: Ag2[S2C2(CN)2] [P(C6H5)3]4

The crystal structure of the dimeric Ag maleonitriledithiolate complex, Ag₂[S₂C₂(CN)₂] [P(C₆- H₅)₃]₄ (1), has been performed. Complex 1 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with a = 12.2898(77), b = 23.8325(91), c = 23.1790(118) Å, β = 101.315(43)° and Z = 4. Refinement using 3253 reflections with F_o²>3σ(F_o²) yielded R = 0.0662, R_w= 0.0669. The most interesting aspect of the structure is the strong bridging interaction of the chelating maleonitriledithiolate ligand with the second Ag center, where a Ag-S distance of 2.478 Å is observed. The residual bonding capability of the sulfur atoms in the chelating anion [Ag(S₂C₂(CN)₂)(PPh₃)₂]⁻ for [Ag(PPh₃)₂]⁺ is demonstrated.     

Dioxo-, oxothio- and dithio-tungsten(VI) and tungsten(V) complexes of the ligand N,N′-Dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptophenyl)ethylenediamine

Synthesis of complexes cis,cis-W^VOXL (X=Cl, NCS), cis,trans-W^VOXL (X=Cl, OPh, SPh) and cis,trans-W^VIE₂L (E₂=O₂, OS, S₂) of the title ligand LH₂ are reported. cis,cis-W^VOCIL crystallises in space group P2₁/c with a=13.6541(9) Å, b=7.1555(11) Å, c=18.198(2) Å, β=95.294(6)°, V=1770.4(3) ų and Z=4 while the cis,trans isomer crystallises in space group P2₁/n with a=10.361(3) Å, b=14.141(4) Å, c=12.213(5) Å, β=102.56(3)°, V=1747(2) ų and Z=4. cis,trans-W^VIS₂L crystallises in space group P2₁/n with a=10.645(2) Å, b=13.929(2) Å, c=12.189(2) Å, β=103.14(2)°, V=1760(1) ų and Z=4. A short CH₃···Cl distance of 3.067(7) Å and an acute OWCl angle of 94.1(2)° are seen in cis,cis-W^VOClL, which converts to the cis,trans form on heating in MeCN. The latter isomer features a CH₃···Cl distance of 3.38(2) Å and an OWCl angle of 105.1(8)°. Electrochemical and EPR data are reported. In particular, cis,trans-W^VIE₂L may be reduced to [W^VE₂L]^–. EPR properties of these anions and those of complexes W^VOXL are discussed in the context of W^V centres in tungsten enzymes.     

Potential multifunctional anti-cancer metal complexes. I. Synthesis and x-ray structural studies of some dinuclear rhodium(II) carboxylate complexes with diamine-substituted acridine ligands in terminal coordination positions

The preparations are reported of [Rh(RCO₂)₂L]₂ [where R = CH₃, C₂H₅, and CH₃OCH₂; L = 6-chloro-2-methoxy-9-[2(NR′₂)ethyl]aminoacridine (R′ = H, CH₃)]. X-ray structural studies have been carried out on two of the compounds [ R = C₂H₅, R′ = H, (1); R = CH₃, R′ = CH₃, (2)]. Compound 1 is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a = 20.864(11), b = 15.736(4), c = 14.402(4) Å, β = 93.14(4)°, V = 4721 ų, and Z = 4; 2 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 8.861(2), b = 23.089(10), c = 12.014(2) Å, β = 105.84(2)°, V = 2365 ų, and Z = 2. Both compounds comprise the standard dinuclear rhodium(II) carboxylate unit with the substituted acridine ligands coordinated to rhodium in the axial positions, via the NH₂ group nitrogen in 1 and the N(CH₃)₂ nitrogen in 2.The dimethyl substitution on the tertiary amine group in 2, and an associated conformational change in the diamine chain, result in an increased separation of the acridine ligand from the metal centre. There is a pronounced acridine base stacking in 1 but not in 2.     

Crystal structure of [chloro(diethyldithiocarbamato)butyl phenyl]tin(IV)

The crystal structure of the title compound, SnCl(C₆H₅)(C₄H₉)[S₂CN(C₂H₅)₂], was determined and refined to an R factor of 3.2% for 4876 reflections. The molecule contains five-coordinate tin in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal arrangement with the tin atom lying 0.20 Å below the equatorial plane formed by one of the sulphur atoms, S(1), and the donor carbons of the butyl and phenyl groups. The chlorine and the other sulphur atom, S(2), occupy axial sites, making a S(2)SnCl angle of 156.85(1)°. The SnS(2) bond is markedly elongated (2.764(1) Å) compared to the SnCl bond (2.449(1) Å) and the SnS(1) bond (2.454(1) Å). The structure resembles those of analogues such as (C₆H₅)₂Sn(glygly) in having both hydrocarbon ligands located in the equatorial plane. Crystal data: space group P$\text{1}$: a = 8.291(2) Å, b = 14.726(3) Å, c = 9.509(2) Å, α = 96.24(2)°, β = 107.02(3)°, γ = 116.70(2)°, Z = 2, R = 3.2% for 4876 independent reflections.     

The crystal structure of 2-deoxy-β-d-arabino-hexopyranose at −150°

2-Deoxy-β-d-arabino-hexopyranose, C₆H₁₂O₅, is orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, with cell dimensions at ?150° [20°], a = 6.484(2) [6.510(3)], b = 10.364(2) [10.427(4)], c = 11.134(3) [11.153(5)] Å, V = 748.2 [757.1] ų, Z = 4, D_x = 1.457 [1.440], and D_m = [1.455] g.cm^?3. The intensities of 1269 reflections were measured by using MoKα radiation. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined by full-matrix least-squares, with anisotropic, thermal parameters for the carbon and oxygen atoms, and isotropic parameters for the hydrogen atoms. The pyranose has the ⁴C₁(d) conformation, with puckering parameters Q = 0.563 Å, θ = 3.9°, and ? = 350.3°. The departure from ideality is very small, and less than that in β-d-glucopyranose, Q = 0.584 Å and θ = 6.9°. The β-glycosidic, CO bond is short, 1.383(4) Å, and the OCOH torsion angle is ?87°, consistent with the anomeric effect. The hydrogen-bonding scheme consists of infinite chains, with side chains terminating at a ring-oxygen atom.     

Structural models for [M(CO)3(H2O)3]+ (M=Tc,Re): fully aqueous synthesis of technetium and rhenium tricarbonyl complexes of tripodal oxygen donor ligands

The reaction of [M(H₂O)₃(CO)₃]⁺ (M=Tc, Re) with Na[CpCo[PO(OR)₂]₃] (NaL_OR; R=Me, Et) in water produced the compounds M(CO)₃(L_OR), all of which were yellow solids, in yields varying from 55 to 89%. The two compounds M(CO)₃(L_OEt) were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. In both cases, the ligand L_OEt was bound to the metal center in a tridentate fashion utilizing an {OOO} donor set. The ligands L_OR can be used as models for facially coordinated triaqua groups owing to their position in the spectrochemical series. Therefore, these four compounds, M(CO)₃(L_OR), can be considered structural models for [M(H₂O)₃(CO)₃]⁺. Crystal data for Tc(CO)₃(L_OEt) are as follows: molecular formula C₂₀H₃₅CoO₁₂P₃Tc, MW=717.32, monoclinic, a=11.5661(11) Å, b=18.671(2) Å, c=13.7852(13) Å, β=92.770(2)°, V=2973.5(5) Å³, space group P2₁/n, Z=4, final R₁=0.0669, wR₂=0.1361. Crystal data for Re(CO)₃(L_OEt) are as follows: molecular formula C₂₀H₃₅CoO₁₂P₃Re, MW=805.52, monoclinic, a=11.5113(7) Å, b=18.6022(12) Å, c=13.7397(8) Å, β=92.7580(10)°, V=2938.7(3) Å³, space group P2₁/n, Z=4, final R₁=0.0384, wR₂=0.0760.     

Crystal structure of [Sm(OPMePh2)4I2]I. A cationic octahedral complex of samarium(III)

The crystal structure of [Sm(OPMePh₂)₄I₂]I, 1, was determined by X-ray diffraction and refined anisotropically to a final R value of 0.067 from 3040 reflections with I>3.0σ(I). The space group was P2/a and Z=2. The unit cell dimensions were: a= 17.777(6), b=13.559(2), c=11.656(4) Å, α=γ= 90.0 and β=97.25(3)°. The cation geometry was octahedral with the Sm(III) bonded to two mutually trans I⁻ ions and four OPMePh₂ groups. A third non-bonded I⁻ was present elsewhere in the cell. The SmI and SmO distances were 3.077(1) and 2.27(1) Å respectively. Two of the SmOP angles were 172.1(6)° and the other two were 162.0(6)°.     

Three coordination modes of the pentadentate ligand 2,6-diacetylpyridinedisemicarbazone

The pentadentate ligand 2,6-diacetylpyridinedisemicarbazone, DAPSC, reacts with Cr(NO₃)₃·9H₂O and forms two kinds of complexes. At pH=3, the ligand is singly-deprotonated and crystals of [Cr- (DAPSCH)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂·H₂O (Ia) are obtained. Evaporation of a solution at pH=0, yields crystals of [Cr(DAPSC)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₃·2H₂O (II) in which the ligand is fully protonated. The reaction of DAPSC with UO₂(O₂CCH₃)₂ in methanol, followed by crystallization of the product from DMSO yields crystals of [UO₂(DAPSC2H)(H₂O)]·2DMSO (III) in which the ligand is fully deprotonated. Compound Ia is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a=11.746(1), b=14.752(2), c=11.866(1) Å,β=105.53(2)°, V= 1981(1) ų and Z=4. Compound II is monoclinic, space group, P2₁/n with a=38.000(3), b= 14.939(2), c=8.233(1) Å, β=96.12(2)°, V= 4647(1) Å and Z=8. Compound III is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with a=18.048(2), b=15.207(2), c=8.842(1) Å,β=97.72(2)°, V=2405(1) ų and Z=4. The structures were refined using 2084, 4169 and 2516 reflections to R values of 4.4%, 7.8% and 4.8% respectively.     

Stabilization of a hydrated ketone by metal complexation. The crystal and molecular structures of bis-2,2′,N,N′-bipyridyl ketone-hydrate nickel(II) sulfate,copper(II) chloride and copper(II) nitrate

The crystal structure of the complexes (I)Ni[C₁₁N₈N₂(OH)₂]₂SO₄, (II) Cu[C₁₁H₈N₂(OH)₂]₂Cl₂· 4H₂O and (III) Cu[C₁₁H₈N₂(OH)₂]₂(NO₃)₂·2H₂O have been determined by three-dimensional X-ray analysis methods. Crystal data are: (I), monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 19.666(4), b = 7.994(2), c = 16.045(6) /rA, /gb = 111.231(9)°, (II), monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 14.504(4), b = 12.333(8), c = 14.630(3) Å, /gb = 90.92°; and (IIl), monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, a = 7.601(5), b = 11.977(4), c = 14.463(6) Å, β = 93.10(8)°. These structural investigations clearly demonstrate that in each case hydration occurs across the ketone double bond in the ligand and that the resulting hydroxyl group coordinates to the metal. Two di-2-pyridyl ketone ligands are thus bonded to the metal atom in a tridentate fashion. In the nickel complex (I), all six coordination interactions appear to have approximately the same strength. However, in the copper complexes (II) and (III), the pyridyl nitrogens are strongly coordinating to the metal in the equatorial plane, while the hydroxyl groups are more weakly coordinating in the axial direction. The metal to ligand bond distances are: (I) d_Ni−O = 2.098(4), d_NiN = 2.062(4), 2.087(4) Å, (II) d_CuO = 2.465(5), d_CuN = 1.994(5), 2.006(5) Å, (III) d_CuO = 2.464(5), d_CuN = 1.990(5), 2.036(5) Å. The neutral diol that results from hydrolysis of di-2-pyridyl ketone is stabilized by coordination to the metal and such coordination is little affected by changes in the metal, the anion or the extent of hydration.