Hydrogen-bonded copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes and coordination polymeric structures containing reduced Schiff base ligands

Complexes [Cu(HSas)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (H₃Sas = N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspartic acid) (1), [Cu(HMeSglu)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (H₃MeSglu = (N-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-l-glutamic acid) (2), [Cu₂(Smet)₂] (H₂Smet = (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-methionine) (3), [Ni(HSas)(H₂O)] (4), [Ni₂(Smet)₂(H₂O)₂] (5), and [Ni(HSapg)₂] (H₂Sapg = (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspargine) (6) have been synthesized and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Structural determination by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed 1D coordination polymeric structures in 2 and 4, and hydrogen-bonded network structure in 5 and 6. In contrast to previously reported coordination compounds with similar ligands, the phenol remains protonated and bonded to the metal ions in 2 and 4, and also probably in 1. However, the phenolic group is non-bonded in 6.     

Non-linear optically active zinc and cadmium p-pyridinecarboxylate coordination networks

Non-centrosymmetric 1D and 3D coordination networks [Zn(L)₂(H₂O)]₂ · CH₃CN · 3H₂O (1), and [Cd_2.5(L)₅] · EtOH · 5H₂O (2), have been synthesized hydro(solvo)thermally between Zn(II) or Cd(II) ions and methyl 4-[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]cinnamate (L-Me), respectively. X-ray single-crystal diffractions studies show that 1 adopts a caterpillar-shaped 1D chain structure, while 2 has a complicated 3D structure formed by linking cadmium-carboxylate chains with the L ligands. Both face-to-face and edge-to-face π-π interactions between the L ligands are key to the polar arrangement of the L ligands in 1. The dipole moments of all the L ligands have on the other hand essentially cancelled out in 2, and the polar axis is defined by the cadmium-carboxylate chains. Consistent with their polar structures, powder second harmonic generation measurements indicate that 1 and 2 exhibit powder SHG intensities of 75 and 20 versus α-quartz, respectively.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of tetranuclear and trinuclear nickel(II) complexes with β-diketone-functionalized pyridinecarboxylate ligand

The new β-diketone-functionalized pyridinecarboxylate ligand 2-(3-oxo-3-phenyl-propionyl)-6-pyridinecarboxylic acid (H₂L) has been synthesized and fully characterized. Its tetranuclear and trinuclear nickel(II) coordination compounds [Ni₄L₄(DMF)(H₂O)₃]·2.5DMF·3H₂O (1) and [Ni₃L₂(OAc)₂(DMF)₂ (H₂O)₂]·DMF·H₂O (2) have also been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 has a [2 × 2] molecular grid structure and 2 is a trinuclear structure. The magnetic properties study of 1 and 2 revealed the intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the Ni(II) ions exists.     

Syntheses and structure of heterobimetallic helical polymeric Mo-M(II) (M = Mn, Co, Zn, Cd or Ni) complexes using a flexidentate metalloligand

A series of heterobimetallic polymeric complexes of manganese, cobalt, zinc, cadmium and nickel, [M(Mo₂O₅L₂)(MeOH)₂(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O {M = Mn (2), n = 1, Co (3), n = 0, Zn (4), n = 1 and Cd (5), n = 1} and [Ni(Mo₂O₅L₂)(MeOH)(H₂O)₃]_n·2H₂O·MeOH (6) have been synthesized form the reaction of [{Na₄(H₂O)₄(μ-H₂O)₂} ⊂ (Mo₂O₅L₂)₂] (1) {LH₂ = 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylamino)acetic acid} with the corresponding metal salts. The complexes have been structurally characterized. The Complexes, 3 and 6 undergo thermal decomposition to afford mixed oxides of the type, MMoO₄·MoO₃ {M = Co or Ni}.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and properties of novel zinc(II) and cadmium(II) polymeric and cyclic bimetallic complexes with fluconazole and dicarboxylate co-ligands

Four new fluconazole-bridged zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with dicarboxylate co-ligands, namely [Zn(HFlu)(TPA)]_n (1), {[Cd(HFlu)₂(TPA)]·2CH₃OH}_n (2), [Zn(HFlu)₂(Suc)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (3), and [Cd(HFlu)₂(Suc)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (HFlu = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol, H₂TPA = terephthalic acid, and H₂Suc = succinic acid). Complex 1 displays a 2-D corrugated network with common (4,4) topology, in which two types of grids constructed by two bridging TPA dianions and two HFlu ligands are found. Complex 2 shows an unusual (3,6) coordination layer consisting of alternative PMPM Cd-HFlu helical chains in which the Cd(II) nodes are also fixed by terephthalate dianions in a cis fashion. The isostructural complexes 3 and 4 have 20-membered dimeric macrocyclic motifs with the Zn···Zn and Cd···Cd distances of 11.258(2) and 11.528(2) Å, respectively. The fluorescence and thermal stability of complexes 1-4 have also been investigated.     

Metal-organic open frameworks with one-dimension channels assembled with pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid and N-containing auxiliary ligands: Syntheses, crystal structures, and physical characterization

Four new complexes, {[Mn(imH)₂(pdc)]·H₂O}_n (1), [Zn₂(pdc)₂(H₂O)₅]·2H₂O (2), [Zn(imH)₂(pdc)]·H₂O (3), {[Zn₂(pdc)₂(bpy)(H₂O)₂]·5H₂O}_n (4) [imH = imidazole pdc = pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylate, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine] have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, PXRD, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. All the four complexes display a three-dimensional (3D) open framework with one-dimensional (1D) channels that are filled with lattice water molecules. Particularly, in 4, the lattice water molecules form an infinite water chain. Both 1 and 4 consist of 1D polymeric chains. While 2 contains a dinuclear Zn(II) unit, and 3 is a mononuclear complex. Further, the result of thermal analysis of 1 and 2 shows the robustness of the overall supramolecular three-dimensional architecture. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 exhibit strong fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature and could be significant in the field of photoactive materials.     

Four coordination polymers constructed from a multicarboxylate ligand and metal centers various from Ba, Cu, Zn to Gd: Syntheses, crystal structures and properties

Hydrothermal reactions between H₄ODPA (2,2′,3,3′-oxydiphthalic acid) and metal ion salts of Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Gd³⁺ afford four novel coordination polymers [Ba(H₂ODPA)(H₂O)₄] · H₂O (1), [Cu₂(ODPA)(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (2), Zn₂(ODPA)(H₂O)₂ (3) and [Gd(HODPA)(H₂O)_3.5] · H₂O (4), accordingly. These polymers show great differences in regard to their structures and properties originated from the variation of size and coordination geometry of the metal ions. Compound 1 presents puckered achiral layer structure with (4.8²) topology with helices, 2 has a 6³ topology with copper tetramer as SBUs, 3 has chiral layer with two kinds of helices built up from Zn-binuclear “paddle-wheel” like SBUs, and 4 features a simple 1D helix with opposite chirality. Compound 3 shows obvious fluorescent emissions upon excitation. Compound 2 shows ferromagnetic interactions between Cu^II centers bridged by carboxylate groups, whereas compound 4 presents weak ferromagnetic interaction between Gd^III ions.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of 3d-4f heterometallic complexes constructed from pyrazole-bridged CuLn dinuclear units

A series of pyrazole-bridged heterometallic 3d-4f complexes, [CuDy(ipdc)₂(H₂O)₄] · (2H₂O)(H₃O⁺) (1) and [CuLn(pdc)(ipdc)(H₂O)₄] · H₃O⁺ (Ln = Ho (2), Er (3), Yb (4); H₃ipdc = 4-iodo-3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid; H₃pdc = 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid), {[Cu₃Ln₄(ipdc)₆(H₂O)₁₆] · xH₂O}_n (Ln = Sm (5), x = 8.5; Ln = Eu (6), x = 7; Ln = Gd (7), Tb (8), x = 9), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Ligand H₃ipdc was in situ obtained by iodination of ligand H₃pdc. Complexes 1-4 are pyrazole-bridged heterometallic dinuclear complexes, and 2-4 are isostructural. Complexes 5-8 are isostructural and comprised of an unusual infinite one-dimensional tape-like chain based on pyrazole-bridged heterometallic dinuclear units. The magnetic properties of compounds 1-4, 7 and 8 have been investigated through the magnetic measurement over the temperature range of 1.8-300 K.     

Lanthanide(III) complexes with phosphoryl containing 1,8-naphthyridine: Crystal structures and vibrational spectra

The complexes of 2-[2-(diphenylphosphoryl)prop-2-yl]-1,8-naphthyridine (L) with lanthanide nitrates Ln(NO₃)₃ (Ln = Nd, Eu, Lu) were investigated to elucidate the coordination ability of a novel type of potentially tridentate ligands - phosphorylalkyl substituted naphthyridines. The X-ray crystal structures of [NdL₃]³⁺ · 3(NO₃)⁻ · MeCN (1), [EuL₃]³⁺ · 3(NO₃)⁻ · [Eu(NO₃)₃ · 4H₂O] · MeCN (2), and [LuL₃]³⁺ · 3(NO₃)⁻ · [Lu(NO₃)₃ · 3H₂O] · 2 MeCN · 0.5 H₂O (3) are reported together with their IR and Raman spectra. All the compounds studied contain isostructural [LnL₃]³⁺ cations and three NO₃⁻ counterions. Coordination of each L appears to be O,N,N tridentate-cyclic and coordination number of Ln is nine. Vibrational spectra of 1-3 are also compared with that of free ligand and model compounds.     

A series of metal-organic frameworks constructed with 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate: Syntheses, structures, and physical properties

To determine the influence of metal ion and the auxiliary ligand on the formation of metal-organic frameworks, six new coordination polymers, {[Mn₂(bpdc)(bpy)₃(H₂O)₂] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O}_n (1), {[Mn(bpdc)(dpe)] · CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]}_n (3), {[Zn(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]}_n (4), {[Cd(bpdc)(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O}_n (5), and {[Co(bpdc)(H₂O)₃] · 0.5dpe · H₂O}_n (6) (H₂bpdc = 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl) ethylene), have been synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 forms 1D helical chain structure containing two unique Mn^II ions. In 2, the bridging ligand dpe links Mn-bpdc double zigzag chains to generate a layer possesses rectangular cavities. In 3, bpdc²⁻ ligand connects to three metal centers forming a 2D network. Different from the above compounds, 4 displays a 1D double-wavelike chain. Compound 5 features a helical chain. Compound 6 also displays a helical chain with guest molecule dpe existing in the structure. These diverse structures illustrate rational adjustment of metal ions and the second ligand is a good method for the further design of helical compounds with novel structures and properties. In addition, the magnetic properties of 2, 3 and 6, the thermal stabilities and photoluminescence properties of 4 and 5 were also studied.     

Binuclear copper and zinc complexes based on polypyridyl ligand 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz): Synthesis, spectral and structural characterization

The reaction of MCl₂ · 2H₂O (M = Cu, Zn) with 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) (referred hereafter as L) in 2:1 molar ratio in acetonitrile at room temperature afforded binuclear complexes [M₂(κ³-L)Cl₄] [Cu (1), Zn (2)] where the ligand is bis-tridentate manner. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FAB-MS, IR, EPR, NMR and electronic spectral studies. Solid state structures of both the [Cu₂(κ³-L)Cl₄] · 5H₂O (1), [Zn₂(κ³-L)Cl₄] · H₂O (2) have been determined by single crystal X-ray analyses. A well-resolved uudd cyclic water tetramer and water monomer were reported in the crystal host of [Cu₂(κ³-L)Cl₄] · 5H₂O (1) and [Zn₂(κ³-L)Cl₄] · H₂O (2) showing the contribution of the water cluster to the stability of the crystal host 1 and 2.     

3D non porous and thermally labile nickel(II) and manganese(II) complexes with hetero donor ligands: Synthesis, X-ray single crystal structure, thermal and luminescent study

Three coordination complexes of formula [Ni(L₁)₂(H₂O)₄].4H₂O (1), [Mn(L₂)₂(H₂O)₄] (2) and [Mn(L₂)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (3) [L₁H = 6-methylpyridine-3-carboxylic acid, L₂H = 3-(3-pyridyl)acrylic acid] have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. A 3D network is achieved through H-bonding in 1 and 2, while crystal packing of complex 3 shows a 3D supramolecular coordination polymer. Thermal properties have been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Luminescence study features the presence of LMCT and metal purterbed ligand centered emission bands.     

A series of d transition metal coordination complexes: Structures and comparative study of surface electron behaviors (n = 9, 8, 7, 6, 5)

Ten transition metal coordination complexes [Cu₂(phen)(p-tpha)(μ-O)]_n1, [Cu(m-tpha)(imH)₂]_n2, [Ni(5-Haipa)₂(H₂O)₂]_n3, [Ni(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]·btc·[Ni(H₂O)₆]_0.5·9H₂O 4, [Co(2,5-pdc)(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O 5, [Co₂(2,5-pdc)₂(H₂O)₆]_n·2nH₂O 6, [Fe(2,5-Hpdc)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O 7, [Co(C₆H₄NO₂)₃]·H₂O 8, [Fe₂(μ₂-btec)(μ₂-H₂btec)(bipy)₂(H₂O)₂]_n9, [Mn(phen)(2,5-pdc)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O 10 (H₄btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,5-H₂pdc = 2,5-pyridine-dicarboxylic acid, p-tpha = p-phthalic acid, m-tpha = m-phthalic acid, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 5-H₂aipa = 5-aminoisophthalic acid, imH = imidazole, H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) were synthesized through hydrothermal method. They were characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and surface photovoltage spectra (SPS). Structural analysis indicated that the complexes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 were linked into infinite structures bridged by organic acid ligands. The other four complexes were molecular complexes and further connected to 2D or 3D structures by the hydrogen bonds. The SPS of complexes 1-10 indicate that there are positive response bands in the range of 300-800 nm showing different levels of photo-electric conversion properties. The intensity, position, shape and the number of the response bands in SPS are obviously different since the structure, species, valence, dⁿ electrons configuration and coordinated environment of the center metals are different. There are good relationships between SPS and UV-Vis spectra.     

Hydrothermal syntheses, structures and properties of five rare earth coordination polymers with (1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyldithio)diacetic acid

Hydrothermal reactions of rare earth ions(III) with a flexible building unit (1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyldithio)diacetic acid (H₂tzda) lead to five novel coordination polymers with 1D chain and 3D network structures, namely, {[Y₂(tzda)₃(H₂O)₁₀] · 5H₂O}_n (1) and [Ln₂(tzda)₃(H₂O)₅]_n [Ln = Er (2), Pr (3), Nd (4), Eu (5)]. Compound 1 has one-dimensional ribbon-like chain structure constructed by [Y₂(tzda)₃] units through the syn-anti bidentate bridging mode of carboxylate groups. Compounds 2-5 possess compact three-dimensional network structures which are made up of [Ln₂(tzda)₃] (Ln = Er, Pr, Nd and Eu) units bridged by carboxylate groups. In these compounds, the flexible tzda²⁻ ligand is versatile and displays six different coordination fashions to meet the requirement of the coordination preference of the metal center. Furthermore, the magnetic behaviors for 2-5 in the temperature range of 5.0-300 K and photoluminescent property of 5 are significantly investigated in this paper.     

Assembly of luminescent Ag(I) coordination architectures adjusted by modification of pyrimidine-based thioether ligands

Two new structurally related pyrimidine-based thioether ligands, angular ditopic ligand 1,3-bis(2-pyrimidinylthiomethyl)benzene (L²) and linear ditopic ligand 1,4-bis(2-pyrimidinylthiomethyl)benzene (L³), have been designed and prepared. Reaction of two shaped-specific ligands with different silver(I) salts affords three novel luminescent coordination architectures: discrete metallomacrocycle [Ag₄(L²)₂(NO₃)₄] · 2MeOH (3), 1D chain {[Ag₂L³(NO₃)₂] · 2CCl₃}_n (4) and 2D wire netlike structure {[AgL³(DMF)]ClO₄ · 0.25H₂O}_n (5). The results show that the nature of organic ligands, geometric requirement of metal atoms and counter anions have great influence on the structures of metal-organic frameworks.     

Imidazole derivatives of binuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes incorporating bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl) ligands

A series of new binuclear copper (II) and nickel (II) complexes of the macrocyclic ligands bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)butane (L^but) and bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)-m-xylene (L^mx) have been synthesized: [Cu₂L^butBr₄] (1), [Cu₂L^but(imidazole)₂Br₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₂L^mx(μ-OH)(imidazole)₂](ClO₄)₃ (3), [Cu₂L^but(imidazole)₄](ClO₄)₄ · H₂O (4), [Cu₂L^mx(imidazole)₄](ClO₄)₄ (5), [Ni₂ L^but(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (6), [Ni₂L^but(imidazole)₆](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (7) and [Ni₂L^mx (imidazole)₄(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ · 3H₂O (8). Complexes 1, 2, 7 and 8 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. In each of the complexes, the two tridentate 1,4,7-triazacyclononane rings of the ligand facially coordinate to separate metal centres. The distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere of the copper (II) centres is completed by bromide anions in the case of 1 and/or monodentate imidazole ligands in complexes 2, 4 and 5. Complex 3 has been formulated as a monohydroxo-bridged complex featuring two terminal imidazole ligands. Complexes 6-8 feature distorted octahedral nickel (II) centres with water and/or monodentate imidazole ligands occupying the remaining coordination sites. Within the crystal structures, the ligands adopt trans conformations, with the two metal binding compartments widely separated, perhaps as a consequence of electrostatic repulsion between the cationic metal centres. The imidazole-bearing complexes may be viewed as simple models for the coordinative interaction of the binuclear complexes of bis (tacn) ligands with protein molecules bearing multiple surface-exposed histidine residues.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures and properties of new Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn complexes with 6-quinolinecarboxylate: Interplay of coordinative and noncovalent interactions

Reactions of Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II, and Zn^II salts with 6-quinolinecarboxylic acid (HL) under the hydrothermal conditions afford three monomeric complexes [M(L)₂(H₂O)₄] (M = Fe^II for 1, Co^II for 2, and Ni^II for 3) and a 1-D polymeric species {[Zn(L)₂(H₂O)] · H₂O}_n (4). The crystal structures of the ligand HL and these four complexes have been determined by using the X-ray single-crystal diffraction technique. The results suggest that complexes 1-3 are isostructural, displaying novel 3-D pillar-layered networks through multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonds, whereas in coordination polymer 4, the 1-D comb-like coordination chains are extended to generate a hydrogen-bonded layer, which is further reinforced via aromatic stacking interactions. Solid-state properties such as thermal stability and fluorescence emission of the polymeric Zn^II complex 4 have also been investigated.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic characterization of two 4f-3d heterometallic coordination polymers

Two new 4f-3d heterometallic coordination polymers [Gd₂Co(L₁)₃(ox)(H₂O)₄]·2.5H₂O (1, L₁ = pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate anion, ox = oxalate dianion) and [GdNi(L₂)₂(ox)_0.5(H₂O)₃]·3H₂O (2, L₂ = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate anion) were successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In compound 1, one dimensional heterometallic and lanthanide infinite sheets were constructed with sole L₁ spacers and L₁-ox mixed bridges, respectively. While similar one dimensional heterometallic infinite sheet and normal lanthanide infinite zigzag chain were formed based on sole L₂ and L₂-ox mixed bridges, respectively in compound 2. Both of the two compounds exhibited new and interesting three dimensional topologies. In addition, the magnetic properties of the two compounds were analyzed via solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Group II metal-directed structural variation of coordination compounds derived from 5-[N-acetato(4-pyridyl)]tetrazolate ligand

Reactions of MCl₂ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and a4-ptz (a4-ptz = 5-[N-acetato (4-pyridyl)] tetrazolate) potassium salt in water, respectively, and produced four new complexes [Mg(H₂O)₆] · (a4-ptz)₂ · 2H₂O (1), [Ca(a4-ptz)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · 2nH₂O (2), [Sr(a4-ptz)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · 2nH₂O (3), [Ba₄(a4-ptz)₈(H₂O)₈]_n · 4nH₂O (4). These compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 has mononuclear structure bearing distinct intermolecular hydrogen-bond interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular network. While compounds 2-4 have one-dimensional polymeric chains that are bridged by two water molecules linker, respectively. The luminescence properties of 1-4 were investigated at room temperature in the solid state.     

Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization and biomimetic properties of new copper, manganese, zinc complexes: Identification of possible superoxide-dismutase mimics bearing hydroxyl radical generating/scavenging abilities

A series of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) coordination compounds has been synthesized by reaction of the corresponding metal salts and pyrazolyl-based ligands, i.e. the neutral 1-(2-(4-((2,2,2-tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy)methyl)benzyloxy)-1,1-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl)-1H-pyrazole {p-C₆H₄[CH₂OCH₂C(pz)₃]₂, (L¹), and the anionic hydridotris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate (L²)⁻, bis(pyrazolyl)acetate (L³) and bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)acetate (L⁴)⁻: the species [L¹(CuCl₂)₂] (1), [L¹(Cu(OAc)₂)₂] (2), [L¹(Zn(OAc)₂)₂] (3), [(CuCl(L²)(Hpz^Ph,Me)] (4), [Mn(L³)₂]·2H₂O, (5), [ZnCl(L³)(imH)]·MeOH [CuCl(L⁴)(imH)]·2H₂O (7) have been obtained (Hpz^Ph,Me = 3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazole, imH = imidazole). Complexes 1 and 4 have been structurally characterized, also using less conventional powder diffraction methods. The superoxide scavenging activity has been characterized by indirect assays including EPR analysis. All complexes exhibit superoxide scavenging activity with IC₅₀ in the µM range and they protect against the oxidative action of peroxynitrite in different ways. 1, 4 and 7 exert both an anti- and pro-oxidant effect depending on their concentration as evaluated by EPR and fluorescence methods. The pro-oxidative effects are absent in Zn(II) and Mn(II) complexes.