Syntheses,structures and electrochemistry of manganese(III) complexes derived from N,N′-o-phenylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine): Efficient catalyst for styrene epoxidation

Syntheses, characterizations, electrochemistry and catalytic properties for styrene epoxidation of three manganese(III) compounds [Mn^IIIL¹(H₂O)(MeOH)](ClO₄) (1) [Mn^IIIL¹(N₃)(H₂O)]·dmf (2) [Mn^IIIL¹(Cl)(H₂O)] (3) derived from the Schiff base compartmental ligand N,N′-o-phenylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine) (H₂L¹) are reported. The three compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, IR, mass and UV–Vis spectra and conductance values. Single crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 2 have been determined. The structures of 1 and 2 show that these are mononuclear compounds having a salen type structure. In both structures, a dinuclear species is formed by bifurcated hydrogen bonding involving coordinated water molecule. The coordination of chloride in 3 is shown by conductance measurements. The compounds have also been characterized by UV–Vis and mass spectroscopic studies. Cyclic voltammetric and square wave voltammetric studies of the three compounds reveal that these undergo Mn(III)/Mn(II) reduction reversibly with the order of the ease of reduction as 3 > 2 > 1. This order has been explained proposing the composition of active species in solution. Catalytic properties for epoxidation of styrene by all the three complexes using PhIO and NaOCl as oxidant have been studied. The order of both the styrene conversion and styrene epoxidation using the three title compounds is 3 > 1 > 2. Again, it has been observed that more efficient conversion and epoxidation take place when PhIO is used as oxidant.     

Synthesis, spectral and structural studies of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-piperazine-4-carbodithioate and its Co(III), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes

The new complexes [Co(ecpzdtc)₃] (2) [Zn(ecpzdtc)₂(py)] (3) and [Cd(ecpzdtc)₂(py)]·H₂O (4) have been synthesized from sodium 1-ethoxycarbonyl-piperazine-4-carbodithioate [(Na⁺(ecpzdtc)⁻]. The ligand and the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, magnetic susceptibility and single crystal X-ray data. The [Zn(ecpzdtc)₂(py)] and [Cd(ecpzdtc)₂(py)]·H₂O complexes contain pyridine as the co-ligand. [Co(ecpzdtc)₃] (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, whereas [Zn(ecpzdtc)₂(py)] (3) and [Cd(ecpzdtc)₂(py)]·H₂O (4) crystallize in the triclinic system. The sulfur donor sites of the bidentate ligand chelate the metal center, forming a four-membered CS₂M ring. The cobalt complex has a distorted octahedral geometry, the zinc complex is almost between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal, whereas the cadmium complex is square pyramidal. The crystal structures of all the complexes are stabilized by various types of inter and intramolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and reactivity of a new pentacoordinated chiral dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex

The novel tridentate chiral ligand 2,6-bis{[(1R,2S,4R)-2-hydroxy-1,3,3-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]}pyridine (1) was readily prepared by reaction of 2,6-dilithiopyridine with (R)-(−)-fenchone. Reaction of 1 with [MoO₂(acac)₂] resulted in the formation of the new metal-oxo five-coordinated complex [MoO₂(ONO)] (2) [ONO = (1 – 2H)]. The reactivity of 2 has been studied and the derivatives [MoS₂(ONO)] (3) and [MoO(O₂)(ONO)] (4) were prepared. The compounds 1–4 have been characterised by ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, microanalysis and IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The behaviour of 2 as catalyst in oxotransfer and in nucleophilic substitution of propargylic alcohols reactions has been tested.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization and crystal structure of copper(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine-N(4)-phenylsemicarbazone

An interesting series of nine new copper(II) complexes [Cu₂L₂(OAc)₂]·H₂O (1), [CuLNCS]·½H₂O (2), [CuLNO₃]·½H₂O (3), [Cu(HL)Cl₂]·H₂O (4), [Cu₂(HL)₂(SO₄)₂]·4H₂O (5), [CuLClO₄]·½H₂O (6), [CuLBr]·2H₂O (7), [CuL₂]·H₂O (8) and [CuLN₃]·CH₃OH (9) of 2-benzoylpyridine-N(4)-phenyl semicarbazone (HL) have been synthesized and physico-chemically characterized. The tridentate character of the semicarbazone is inferred from IR spectra. Based on the EPR studies, spin Hamiltonian and bonding parameters have been calculated. The g values, calculated for all the complexes in frozen DMF, indicate the presence of the unpaired electron in the d_x²-y² orbital. The structure of the compound, [Cu₂L₂(OAc)₂] (1a) has been resolved using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure revealed monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The coordination geometry about the copper(II) in 1a is distorted square pyramidal with one pyridine nitrogen atom, the imino nitrogen, enolate oxygen and acetate oxygen in the basal plane, an acetate oxygen form adjacent moiety occupies the apical position, serving as a bridge to form a centrosymmetric dimeric structure.     

Salen-type nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes having chiral and racemic camphoric diamine components

Chiral and racemic Salen-type Schiff-base ligands (H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³), condensed between D-(+)- and D,L-camphoric diamine (also known as (1R,3S)-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentane-1,3-diamine) and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or 3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with a 1:2 molar ratio, have been synthesized and characterized. A series of new nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes of these chiral and racemic ligands exhibiting different coordination number (4, 5 and 6) have been characterized with the formulae [NiL¹]·CH₃OH (3), [NiL¹]·H₂O (4), [NiL²] (5), [PdL²] (6), [Cu₂(L²)₂(H₂O)] (7) and [NiL³(DMF)(H₂O)] (8). Different solvent molecules in 3 and 4 (methanol and water molecules) as well as different apical ligands in 7 and 8 (water and DMF molecules) are involved in different O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions to further stabilize the structures. UV–Vis (UV–Vis), circular dichroism (CD) spectra and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses for the metal complexes have also been carried out.     

R-phenyldicarboxyl (R = H, NO2 and COOH) modular effect on Ni(II) coordination polymers incorporated with a versatile connector 1H-3-(3-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole

Based on the versatile ligand 1H-3-(3-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (3,4′-Hbpt) (1), a series of coordination compounds [Ni(3,4′-Hbpt)(ip)] (2), [Ni(3,4′-Hbpt)₂(tp)(H₂O)₂] (3), [Ni₂(3,4′-Hbpt)(5-NO₂-ip)₂(H₂O)₄] (4) and [Ni(3,4′-Hbpt)(pm)_0.5(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O (5) have been hydrothermally constructed through R-phenyldicarboxyl (R = H, NO₂ and COOH) intervention effect (ip = isophthalic anion, tp = terephthalic anion, 5-NO₂-ip = 5-NO₂-isophthalic anion, pm = pyromellitic anion). Structural analysis reveals that 3,4′-Hbpt adopts μ-N_py, N_py coordination modes in two typical conformations in these target coordination compounds. In cooperation with the auxiliary ligands benzenedicarboxylate connectors, a variety of Ni(II) coordination networks such as 2-D layer with (4, 4) topology (2) 1-D chain (3), honeycomb (4) and 2-D helical chains (5) have been assembled. Theoretical calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) for ligand (1) is also employed to explicate the stability of the different conformations. Moreover, thermal stability of these crystalline materials is explored by TG-DTG.     

Syntheses,topological networks and properties of four complexes based on 4-amino-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole ligand

Reactions of metal acetates with 4-amino-3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (3-abpt) and co-ligands gave rise to four new complexes, namely [Zn₂(3-abpt)(beta)(DMF) (H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O (1), [Zn(3-abpt)(ip)]_n·3nH₂O (2), [Zn(3-abpt)(ip)(H₂O)₂]_n·2nH₂O (3), and [Cu₂(3-abpt)₂(C₆H₅COO)₄(H₂O)₂]_n·2nH₂O (4) (ip = isophthalate, beta = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate). Compound 1 is a 3D coordination polymer with uncommon 3,4-connected (6².8)₂(6².8².10²) network. Compounds 2–4 are all 1D coordination polymers, which exhibit diversity structures. Compound 2 is a tubular-like chain, 3 is a ring-like network, and 4 is a zigzag chain. Their thermal stabilities and the photoluminescence of 1 have also been investigated.     

Synthesis,structure, network and thermal analysis of four 5-(pyrazinyl)tetrazolato copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes

Three new copper complexes and one cobalt complex with 5-(pyrazinyl)tetrazolate anion, (pyztz)⁻, as chelating bidentate ligand, were obtained by the reaction of pyrazinecarbonitrile with sodium azide in the presence of copper(II) nitrate or cobalt(II)chloride. Complexes of composition [Cu(pyztz)₂(H₂O)] (1) deep blue crystals, [Cu(pyztz)₂(H₂O)₂] (2a) green crystals, [Co(pyztz)₂(H₂O)₂] (2b) orange crystals, [Cu(pyztz)₂(H₂O)₂] · (H₂O) (3) blue crystals were obtained. The single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that complex 1 has square pyramidal structure with one water molecule at apical and two pyrazine-tetrazolato ligands at basal sites, while structures of 2a, 2b and 3 consist of octahedrally coordinated metal ions, where two pyztz anions act as bidentate ligands via one of the pyrazine-N atoms and one of the tetrazole-N atoms in trans-positions and two trans water molecules. Complex 3 contains one extra lattice water molecule. Hydrogen bonds of the types O–H?O and O–H?N connect the mononuclear units to a three-dimensional network structure in 2 (a and b are isostructural) and 3. Although the H-bond patterns look complex it is shown that they can be related to the well-known three- and six-connected rutile net (rtl) in 2 and the four- and six-connected fsh-net in 3.     

Co(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of fluoroquinolones: Synthesis, spectroscopical studies and biological evaluation against Trypanosoma cruzi

[MnCl₂(NOR)(H₂O)₂] (1), [MnCl₂(SPAR)(H₂O)₂] (2), [CoCl₂(NOR)(H₂O)₂] (3) [CoCl₂(SPAR)(H₂O)₂] (4), [CuCl₂(phen)(NOR)] (5) and [CuCl₂(phen)(SPAR)] (6) complexes with norfloxacin (NOR) and sparfloxacin (SPAR) were obtained from MnCl₂·4H₂O, CoCl₂·4H₂O and CuCl₂(phen). In all cases the NOR and SPAR coordinate in the neutral zwitterionic form. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the Cu(II) complexes (5) and (6) in aqueous and DMSO solutions indicate mixture of mononuclear and binuclear complex. Complexes (1-6), together with the corresponding ligands were evaluated for their in vitro trypanocidal effect, against both bloodstream trypomastigotes and intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. SPAR and NOR were poorly effective upon T. cruzi, complexes (3) and (4) were active against intracellular forms of the parasite. The complexes (5) and (6) displayed a higher activity upon both bloodstream and intracellular forms. The potency of fluoroquinolones, specially those coordinated to Cu(II)-phen justify further trypanocidal screening assays with this compounds in vitro as well as upon experimental models of T. cruzi infection.     

Synthesis,structures and biological properties of nickel(II) phthalates with imidazole and its derivatives

Four new nickel(II) phthalate compounds: mononuclear complexes [Ni(Im)]₆(Pht)·H₂O (1), [Ni(Pht)(Im)₃(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (2) and [Ni(Pht)(2-MeIm)₃(H₂O)₃]·H₂O (3), and coordination polymer [Ni(Pht)(4-MeIm)₂(H₂O)]_n (4) (where Pht = dianion of o-phthalic acid, Im = imidazole, 2-MeIm = 2-methylimidazole, 4-MeIm = 4-methylimidazole) have been synthesized. The complexes 1–4 were characterised by elemental analysis, IR data, thermogravimetric, and X-ray diffraction analyses. X-ray analysis shows that the asymmetric unit of 1 consists of [Ni(Im)]₆²⁺ cation, Pht²⁻ anion and solvate H₂O molecule. The phthalate dianion does not take part in coordination to metal ion. The cations, anions and water molecules are linked via   N–H?$?$O and O–H?$?$O interactions forming 2D hydrogen-bonded networks. The structures of 2 and 3 are similar to other mononuclear Ni(II) phthalate complexes where Pht²⁻ anions act as monodentate ligands and uncoordinated carboxylate oxygen atoms participate in the formation of hydrogen bonded double-chains. The structure of 4 consists of [Ni(4-MeIm)₂(H₂O)] building units connected by phthalate ions to form helical chains. The complexes 1–4 were tested for their ability to increase the biosynthesis of enzymes.     

Exploring the reactivity of an N-pyrazole, P-phosphine hybrid ligand with Cu(I), Ag(I) and Au(I) precursors

The reactivity of (3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyldiphenylphosphine (L) hybrid ligand against Cu(I), Ag(I) and Au(I) has been assayed and compounds [Cu(L)₂](PF₆) (1), [Ag(L)]₂(PF₆)₂·2C₂H₄Cl₂·2C₄H₁₀O (2) and [AuCl(L)]₂ (3) have been isolated and fully characterised. A fully characterisation by analytical and spectroscopic methods of 1-3 are presented and X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 are also reported. The similar data obtained between 2 and 3 permits to do a serious purpose of the structure of 3 in solid and solution.     

Two luminescent frameworks constructed from lead(II) salts with carboxylate ligands containing dinuclear lead(II) units

Two luminescent Pb(II) coordination frameworks containing dinuclear lead(II) units, [Pb(PYDC)(H₂O)]_n (1) and [Pb(HPHT)]_n (2) have been prepared by the self-assembly of lead(II) salts with pyridinecarboxylate and benzenecarboxylate. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that compound 1 is a three-dimensional architecture consisting of Pb₂O₂ dimeric building units, whereas compound 2 is a two-dimensional layer structure containing one-dimensional lead-oxide chains. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated in the solid state at room temperature, indicating structure-dependent photoluminescent properties of the coordination frameworks.     

Construction of metal–organic frameworks with transitional metals based on the 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole ligand

Based on the versatile ligand 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpt) derived from an in situ metal/ligand reaction, a series of coordination compounds CoCl₄(H₃bpt)(H₂O) (1), Cu(H₂bpt)₂(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₆ (2), [Ag(bpt)]_n (3), [Co(Hbpt)(pa)]_n (4), [Co(Hbpt)(pda)]_n (5) and [Cu(Hbpt)(pda)(H₂O)]_n (6) have been constructed (pa = phthalate, pda = 1,3-phenylenediacetate). The structures of these targeted complexes have been characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction techniques. Structural analysis reveals that Hbpt adopts versatile coordination modes to arrange the metal ions in 0-D point, simple (4,4) layers and dinuclear core chains in 1–3, which are further extended via the benzenedicarboxylate connectors to give rise to a variety of coordination networks such as (4,4), (4¹² · 6³), (6⁴ · 8²) topologies in 4–6. The supramolecular organization through hydrogen bonds is analyzed for these complexes and thermal stability of these crystalline materials has been explored by TG-DTG.     

Coordination and extraction studies of an unexplored bi-functional ligand,carbamoyl methyl pyrazole (CMPz) with uranium(VI), lanthanum(III) and cerium(III) nitrates

The bi-functional carbamoyl methyl pyrazole ligands, C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONBu₂ (L₁), C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂ (L₂), C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONBu₂ (L₃), C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂ (L₄) and C₅H₇N₂CH₂CON(C₈H₁₇)₂ (L₅) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis methods. The selected coordination chemistry of L₁ to L₄ with [UO₂(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O], [La(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O] and [Ce(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O] has been evaluated. Structures for the compounds [UO₂(NO₃)₂ C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONBu₂] (6) [UO₂(NO₃)₂ C₅H₇N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂] (7) and [Ce(NO₃)₃{C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂}₂] (11) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Preliminary extraction studies of the ligand L₅ with U(VI) and Pu(IV) in tracer level showed an appreciable extraction for U(VI) and Pu(IV) up to 10 M HNO₃ but not for Am(III). Thermal studies of the compounds 6 and 7 in air revealed that the ligands can be destroyed completely on incineration.     

Modelling the use of lanthanides(III) as probes at calcium(II) binding sites in biological systems: Preparation and characterization of neodymium(III) and calcium(II) malonamato(-1) complexes

A bioinorganic approach into the problem of the isomorphous substitution of calcium(II) by lanthanide(III) ions in biological systems is discussed. Reactions of malonamic acid (H₂malm) with Ca^II and Nd^III sources under similar conditions yielded the compounds [Ca(Hmalm)₂]_n (1), [Nd(Hmalm)₂(H₂O)₂]_n(NO₃)_n (2) and [Nd(Hmalm)₂(H₂O)₂]_nCl_n·2nH₂O (3·2nH₂O). Their X-ray crystal structure data show that the malonamate(-1) ligand presents two different ligation modes and coordinates through the two carboxylate and the amide-O atoms, thus bridging three Ca^II ions in 1 and two Nd^III ions in 2 and 3·2nH₂O. Complex 1 is a 3D coordination polymer based on neutral repeating units, whereas 2 and 3·2nH₂O are 1D coordination polymers based on the same cationic repeating unit. Hydrogen bonding interactions further stabilize the 3D framework structure of 1 and assemble the 1D chains of 2 and 3·2nH₂O into 3D networks. The three complexes were characterized spectroscopically (IR, far-IR, and Raman) and the thermal decomposition of 2 and 3·2nH₂O was monitored by TG/DTA and TG/DTG measurements. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data for 2 are also reported. The bioinorganic chemistry relevance of our results is discussed.     

Preparation and characterisation of cobalt (l) acyl compounds

The new cobalt (l) acyl compounds, [Co(PMe₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 1, [Co(PPhMe₂)(CO)₃(COMe)] 2, [Co(P(4-Me-C₆H₄)₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 3 and [Co(P(4-F-C₆H₄)₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 4, have been prepared from [Na(Co(CO)₄)]. The compound [Co(PCy₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 5 has been prepared from [Co(PCy₃)(CO)₃(Me)] 6. The crystal structures of 5 and 6 are reported.     

Pentacyanido(L)ferrate(III) complexes: Crystal structures, electrochemical and DFT studies (L = pyrazine, 4,4′-bipyridine, azide)

The crystal structures of two pentacyanido(L) ferrate(III) complexes, [P(C₆H₅)₄]₂[Fe(CN)₅(prz)]·4H₂O 1, [P(C₆H₅)₄]₂[Fe(CN)₅(4,4′-bipy)]·3H₂O 2, have been solved. Within the two complex anions the iron atoms are hexacoordinated by five cyanido ligands, the sixth position being occupied by the nitrogen atom arising from pyrazine and, respectively, 4,4′-bipyridine. The electrochemical properties of compounds 1, 2 and of the azido derivative, (Ph₄As)₂[Na(H₂O)₄][Fe(CN)₅(N₃)] 3, have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. A relatively complicated redox behavior of these complexes was found, due especially to the electron transfer involving the central metallic ion that changes reversibly its oxidation state (Fe^III/Fe^II redox site) and also to the coligand (4,4′-bipyridine, pyrazine or azide) which intervenes in a distinct electron transfer. The experimental data have been rationalized through DFT calculations.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of the molybdenum(VI) complex [MoCl(NAr)2(CH2CMe2Ph)] (Ar=2,6-Pr2C6H3)

The compounds [MoCl(NAr)₂R] (R=CH₂CMe₂Ph (1) or CH₂CMe₃(2); Ar=2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃) have been prepared from [MoCl₂(NAr)₂(dme)] (dme=1,2-dimethoxyethane) and one equivalent of the respective Grignard reagent RMgCl in diethyl ether. Similarly, the mixed-imido complex [MoCl₂(NAr)(NBu^t)(dme)] affords [MoCl(NAr)(NBu^t)(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (3). Chloride substitution reactions of 1 with the appropriate lithium reagents afford the compounds [MoCp(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (4) (Cp=cyclopentadienyl), [MoInd(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (5) (Ind=Indenyl), [Mo(OBu^t)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)] (6), [MoMe(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph)] (7), [MoMe(PMe₃)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe ₂Ph)] (8) (formed in the presence of PMe₃) and [Mo(NHAr)(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂P h)](9). In the latter case, a by-product {[Mo(NAr)₂(CH₂CMe₂Ph) ]₂(μ-O)}(10) has also been isolated. The crystal structures of 1, 4, 5 and 10 have been determined. All possess distorted tetrahedral metal centres with cis near-linear arylimido ligands; in each case (except 5, for which the evidence is unclear) there are α-agostic interactions present.     

Coordination studies of 5,6-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazine towards Cu cation. X-ray studies,spectroscopic characterization and DFT calculations

The reactions of 5,6-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazine with CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O and CuSO₄ · 5H₂O have been examined, and four [CuCl₂(dppt)] (1), [CuCl₂(dppt)₂] · 2MeOH (2), [Cu(dppt)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (3) and [Cu(SO₄)(dppt)(H₂O)]_n · nH₂O (4) complexes have been obtained. All the complexes have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized, and compound 4 has been additionally studied by magnetic measurements. The electronic structure of 1 has been calculated with the density functional theory (DFT) method, and the time-dependent DFT calculations have been employed to calculate the electronic spectrum of 1.     

Attempts of synthesis of Hg(SCN)4-based coordination polymers in conjunction with [Cu(L–L)2] building blocks

Five novel heterobimetallic compounds [Cu(bpzm)₂Hg(SCN)₄]_n (1), [Cu(bdmpzm)₂(μ-SCN)Hg(SCN)₃] (2), [Cu(pybzim)₂(μ-SCN)Hg(SCN)₃]·H₂O (3), [Cu(bipy)₂(μ-SCN)Hg(SCN)₃][Cu(bipy)₂(μ-SCN)₂Hg(SCN)₂] (4) and [Cu(bipy)(NCS)]₂[Hg(SCN)₄] (5) have been synthesized and structurally characterized (bpzm-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane, bdmpzm-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, pybzim-2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole, phen-1,10-phenantroline and bipy-2,2′-bipyridine). The compounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 are molecular complexes, whereas 1 is an alternating 1-D zigzag chain of [Cu(bpzm)₂]²⁺ and Hg(SCN)₄]²⁻ moieties in which the metal atoms are bridged via thiocyanate ions. The polymer 1 has been studied by magnetic measurement.