The investigation of complexation properties and synthesis of the (salen and salophen)-bridged Fe/Cr(III) capped complexes of novel Schiff bases

This article describes synthesis of novel Schiff base and its complexation properties with Fe(III) and Cr(III). Firstly 1,3,5-tris (formylphenoxymethyl)benzene (1, TRIPOD) with tris aldehyde groups were synthesized using the 1,3,5-trisbromomethylbenzene and 4-hydroxybezaldehyde. The compound 1 was converted to the Schiff base derivative (2, TCPIM-TRIPOD) with p-aminobenzoic acid. The prepared TCPIM-TRIPOD were reacted with four new trinuclear Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes involving tetradenta Schiff bases N,N-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine-(salenH₂) or bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine-(salophenH₂) and characterized by means of elemental analysis carrying out infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), elemental analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurement. The complexes can also be characterized as low-spin distorted octahedral Fe(III) and Cr(III) bridged by carboxylic acids. The tricarboxylic acids play a role as bridges for weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular exchange.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and electrochemical properties of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with two unsymmetrical N2O2 Schiff base ligands

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of two unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands [Ni(Me-salabza)] (1), [Cu(Me-salabza)] (2) and [Ni(salabza)] (3), {H₂salabza = N,N′-bis[(salicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine] and H₂Me-salabza = N,N′-bis[(methylsalicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine]}, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both copper(II) and nickel(II) ions adopt a distorted square planar geometry in [Cu(Me-salabza)] and [Ni(salabza)] complexes. The cyclic voltammetric studies of these complexes in dichloromethane indicate the electronic effects of the methyl groups on redox potential.     

First MnIII complexes with tetradentate (N2O2) Schiff bases and tricyanomethanide: synthesis,crystal structure,and magnetic properties

The first Mn^III complexes with Schiff bases and tricyanomethanide-anion were synthesized: [Mn(salen)C(CN)₃(H₂O)] (1), [Mn(5-Brsalen)C(CN)₃(H₂O)] (2), [Mn(salpn)C(CN)₃(H₂O)] (3), [Mn(3-MeOsalen)C(CN)₃(H₂O)] (4), [Mn(5-Brsalen)(MeOH)(H₂O)][C(CN)₃] (5), and [Mn(3-MeOsalpn)(H₂O)₂][C(CN)₃] (6), where SalenH₂ is N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine, 5-BrsalenH₂ is N,N′-bis(5-bromosalicylidene)ethylenediamine, SalpnH₂ is N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane, 3-MeOsalenH₂ is N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-ethylenediamine, 3-MeOsalpnH₂ — N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane. The tricyanomethanide anion in complexes 1–4 acts as a the terminal ligand, whereas in complexes 5 and 6 tricyanomethanide is not coordinated by Mn^III and acts as an out-of-sphere counterion. The structures of complexes 1–4 are characterized by the formation of dimers due to hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and oxygen atoms of the Schiff bases. The Mn...Mn distances inside the dimers are 4.69–5.41 Å. Complex 6 has a zigzag chain structure consisting of the [Mn(3-MeOsalpn)(H₂O)₂]⁺ cations bound by double bridging aqua ligands. The study of the magnetic properties of complexes 1, 3, 4, and 6 showed the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions between the Mn^III ions through the system of hydrogen bonds.     

Manganese(III) complexes with tetradentate (N2O2) Schiff bases and dicyanamide

New Mn(III) complexes with Schiff bases and dicyanamide are synthesized: [Mn(Salpn)N(CN)₂] _n (two polymorphous modifications, Ia and Ib), {[Mn(5-BrSalen)N(CN)₂] · CH₃OH} _n (II), and [Mn(3-MeOSalen)N(CN)₂(H₂O)] (III), where SalpnH₂ = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane, 5-BrSalenH₂ = N,N′-bis(5-bromosalicylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane, and 3-MeOSalenH₂ = N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane. Complexes Ia, Ib, and II have the polymer structure in which the dicyanamide anion binds the paramagnetic Mn(III) complexes with the Schiff bases into one-dimensional chains. Unlike them, in complex III the monomer units containing water and the dicyanamide anion as terminal ligands form dimers due to hydrogen bonds. The study of the magnetic properties of complexes Ia and II shows a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the Mn³⁺ ions through the dicyanamide bridges in these complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization and structures of copper(II) complexes containing carboxylate and sulfonate groups

Four copper(II) complexes containing Schiff base and reduced Schiff base ligands derived from pyridine-2-aldehyde and amino acid containing carboxylate and sulfonate functional groups (N-(2-pyridylmethylene)-amino acid and N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino acid, (amino acids = ??-alanine and aminoethanesulfonic acid) namely, [Cu(Pbals)(H₂O)₂]ClO₄·H₂O 1, [Cu(Pbal)(ClO₄)(H₂O)] 2, [Cu₂(Paes)₂(ClO₄)₂]·2H₂O 3, and [Cu(Pae)(H₂O)]·ClO₄·H₂O 4 have been synthesized and characterized. The structural features of carboxylate and sulfonate donor groups have been elucidated. These copper(II) complexes demonstrate different coordination behaviour of the carboxylate and sulfonate groups. Carboxylate groups in complexes 1 and 2 bridge the metal centers and facilitate the formation of 1D helical coordination polymeric structures. In compound 3, the sulfonate groups bridge the metal centers to form a discrete dinuclear complex. In 4, the sulfonate groups link the neighbouring metal centers to form a 1D coordination polymeric structure.     

Synthesis and molecular and crystal structures of binuclear complexes of Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III) nitrates with 4,4,10,10-tetramethyl-1,3,7,9-tetraazospiro[5.5]undecane-2,8-dione

Binuclear complexes of Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III) nitrates with 4,4,10,10-tetramethyl-1,3,7,9-tetraazospiro[5.5]undecane-2,8-dione (C₁₁H₂₀N₄O₂, SC)—[Sm(NO₃)₃(SC)(H₂O)]₂(I), [Eu(NO₃)₃(SC)(H₂O)]₂ (II), [Gd(NO₃)₂(SC)(H₂O)₃)]₂(NO₃)₂ (III), [Tb(NO₃)₃(SC)(H₂O)]₂ (IV), [Dy(NO₃)₃(SC)(H₂O)]₂ (V), are synthesized, and their X-ray diffraction analyses are carried out. The crystals of complexes I–V are monoclinic: space group P2₁/n for III and P2₁/c for I, II, IV, and V. In centrosymmetric coordination complexes II, III, IV, and V, the Ln atoms are coordinated by two O(1) and O(2) atoms of two molecules of the SC ligands bound by a symmetry procedure (1 ? x, ?y, 1 ? z), three bidentate nitrate anions, and a water molecule. The coordination numbers of the metal atoms are equal to 9, and the coordination polyhedra are considerably distorted three-capped trigonal prisms, whose bases include the O(1), O(2), O(12) and O(3), O(7), O(9) atoms. The dihedral angle between the bases of the prism is 18°, and that between the mean planes of the side faces is 55°–71° for I, 17° and 55°–71° for II, 16° and 55°–70° for IV, and 16° and 55°–70° for V. The Sm...Sm distance in complex I is 9.44 Å, Eu...Eu in II is 9.42 Å, Tb...Tb in IV is 9.36Å, and Dy...Dy in V is 9.36Å. The gadolinium atom in complex III is coordinated by two oxygen atoms of two ligand molecules bound by a symmetry procedure (?x, ?y + 1, ?z + 1), two bidentate nitrate anions, and three water molecules. One of the nitro groups in compound III is localized in the external coordination sphere of the metal. The coordination number of gadolinium is 9, and the coordination polyhedron is a significantly distorted three-capped trigonal prism, whose base includes the O(1), O(2), O(7) and O(4), O(5), O(9) atoms. The dihedral angle between the bases of the prism is 22.8°, and that between the mean planes of the side faces is 53°–72°. The Gd...Gd distance in complex III is 9.17 Å.     

Synthesis, characterization, solvatochromic behavior and crystal structures of complexes [CoIII(salophen)(thioacetamide)2]ClO4 and [CoIII(salophen)(thiobenzamide)2]ClO4

Two new cobalt(III) complexes of the Schiff base N,N′-disalicylidene-1,2-phenylendiimine dianion (salophen), trans- [Co^III(salophen)(ta)₂]ClO₄, (ta = thioacetamide) (1) and trans-[Co^III(salophen)(tb)₂]ClO₄, (tb = thiobenzamide) (2) were synthesized and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. Both complexes show solvatochromism in a variety of solvents. Complex (1) crystallized from CHCl₃ as a solvate of orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pca2₁ with a = 17.3480(10) Å, b = 18.7522(10) Å, c = 18.8128(11) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, and Z = 8. The cobalt(III) center lies in a distorted octahedral environment. The crystal structure of (1) consists of two independent [Co^III(salophen)(ta)₂]⁺ cations and ClO₄ ^- anions held together essentially via hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Complex (2), forming also a CHCl₃ solvate, crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 14.710(3) Å, b = 13.506(3) Å, c = 18.595(4) Å, β = 100.295(4)°, and Z = 4. The geometry around cobalt(III) center is a distorted octahedron. The crystal structure of (2) contains a [Co^III(salophen)(tb)₂]⁺ complex with a remarkably twisted salophen ligand. Both complexes, (1) and (2), contain approximately one disordered CHCl₃ molecule per Co in the solid state.     

Crystal and molecular structure of [RuNO(NO2)4OHCuPy n ] heterometallic complexes

Heterometallic complexes [RuNO(NO₂)₄OHCuPy₂(H₂O)] (I) and [RuNO(NO₂)₄OHCuPy₃] (II) are described structurally for the first time. In complex I, the ruthenium anion is coordinated to the copper atom by the bridging OH group and two bridging nitro groups; in complex II, by the bridging OH group and one bridging nitro group. Dimers are formed in the crystal lattice of complex II due to the interaction of the copper atom and the nitro group of the ruthenium anion in trans position to the bridging NO₂ group.     

Neutral and monocationic dinuclear (carbonyl)(cyclopentadienyl)(phenylchalcogenate) iron complexes of the general formulas [(RC5H4)Fe(CO)EPh]2 and [(RC5H4)Fe(CO)EPh]2PF6 (E = S or Te; R = H or Me): Synthesis, molecular structures, and EPR spectra

Heating of the compounds (RC₅H₄)Fe(CO)₂TePh (R = H (I) and Me (II)) in heptane afforded the dinuclear complexes [(RC₅H₄)Fe(CO)TePh]₂ (III and IV, respectively). By oxidation with Fc⁺PF ₆ ^? , these complexes were transformed into the paramagnetic cationic complexes [(RC₅H₄)Fe(CO)TePh]₂PF₆ (V and VI, respectively). Structures III–V and [(C₅H₅)Fe(CO)SPh]₂PF₆ (VII) were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Diferric oxo-bridged complexes of a polydentate aminopyridyl ligand: synthesis,structure and catalytic reactivity

The catalytic reactivity of a group of diferric oxo-bridged complexes (1–3) of a tetradentate ligand (bpmen = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane) toward alkane hydroxylation has been evaluated. Among the three complexes, the µ-oxo diiron(III) complex [Fe(bpmen)(µ-O)FeCl₃] (1) has been synthesized for the first time. The complex 1 has been characterized by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallography. At room temperature, the µ-oxo diiron(III) complexes 1–3 have been found to be useful catalysts in hydroxylation of alkanes with m-chloroperbenzoic acid as oxidant. [Fe(bpmen)(µ-O)FeCl₃] (1) has been found to be the most active catalyst. Moreover, the catalytic ability of the complexes in the oxidation of alcohols to ketones with hydrogen peroxide at room temperature has also been investigated.     

Cobalt(III) azide dimethylglyoximates with some sulfanilamide derivatives: Synthesis and crystal structures

A number of new Co(III) dimethylglyoximates containing N-pyrimidinylsulfanilamides were obtained. These complexes of the general formula [Co(N₃)(DH)₂L] (I?CV) (where DH is the dimethylglyoxime monoanion and L are N-pyrimidinylsulfanilamides NH₂-C₆H₄-SO₂-NH-R with different substituents R) are expected to have antibacterial properties. Their structures were examined by IR, electronic absorption, and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. They were classified among cobalt(III) trans dioximates. In all the complexes obtained, the cobalt atom coordinates to four N atoms of two dimethylglyoxime residues. The octahedral environment of the metal atom is completed with the amino N atom of the neutral molecule L and the N atom of the azide anion. In the crystal structures, complexes I?CV are united through intermolecular hydrogen bonds N-H??O, N-H??N, and O-H??O, in which the groups ?NH₂ and =NH of the ligand L and water molecules (for I, IV, and V) serve as proton donors.     

Syntheses, spectroscopic characterization and metal ion binding properties of benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives and their sodium and nickel(II) complexes

New benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives containing nitro, amine and imine groups were prepared. Nitro compound (1) was prepared after the reaction?4′,5′-bis(bromethyl)benzo-15-crown-5 and o-nitrophenol in the presence of NaOH. After reduction process by using hydrazine hydrate and Pd/C amine compound (2) was formed. New crown ether imine compounds (3–5) were synthesized by the condensation of corresponding crown ether diamine (2) with salicylaldehyde derivatives. Sodium complexes of the crown compounds (1a–5a) form crystalline 1:1 (Na⁺: ligand) complexes with sodium perchlorate. Nickel(II) complexes (3b–5b) with 1:1 (Ni²⁺:ligand) stoichiometries were also been synthesized from the Schiff bases (3–5). The results indicated that the Schiff base ligands coordinated through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen. The extraction ability of compounds (1, 3, 4 and 5) were also evaluated in chloroform by using several alkali and transition metal picrates such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺.     

The synthesis and characterization of 2,4,6-tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzimino)-1,3,5-triazine and its [salen/salophenFe(III)] and [salen/salophenCr(III)] capped complexes

Four new trinuclear Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes involving tetradentate Schiff bases N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine-(salenH₂) or bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine-(salophenH₂) with 2,4,6-tris(3,4-dihydroxybenzimino)-1,3,5-triazine have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, ¹H N.M.R., FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complexes have also been characterized as low-spin distorted octahedral Fe(III) and Cr(III) bridged by catechol group.     

fac-Cobalt(III)-azido complexes derived from substituted pyridyl-based tridentate amines

Four new mononuclear triazido-cobalt(III) complexes [Co(L ^1/2/4 )(N₃)₃] and [Co(L ³ )(N₃)₃]·CH₃CN where L ¹  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-methylamine, L ²  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-[6-methyl-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylamine, L ³  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-[3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylamine, and L ⁴  = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl]-[3,4-dimethoxy-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N-methylamine, respectively, were synthesized and structurally characterized. The four complexes were characterized by elemental microanalyses, IR and UV–VIS spectroscopy and X-ray single crystal crystallography. The complexes display two strong IR bands over the frequency region 2,020–2,050 cm^?1 assigned for the asymmetric stretching frequency, ν_a(N₃) of the coordinated azides indicating facial geometry. The molecular structure determinations of the complexes were in complete agreement with fac-[Co(L)(N₃)₃] conformation in distorted octahedral Co(III) environment.     

A multidentate ligand based on two triazole groups from “click chemistry” and its copper(II) and iron(II) complexes: synthesis,structure, and electrochemistry

A multidentate ligand, namely N,N-bis[[1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl]-2-pyridinemethaneamine (L), was synthesized through a click reaction of N,N-di-2-propyn-1-yl-2-pyridinemethanamine with benzyl azide in the presence of CuI catalyst. Treatment of L with CuCl₂ or Fe(NCS)₂ gave the complexes [CuLCl₂]·EtOH (1) and [FeL(NCS)₂]·MeCN (2). Single-crystal X-ray studies show that in 1, the Cu(II) center has slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry resulting from the coordination of one pyridinyl nitrogen atom, one tertiary amine nitrogen atom, one triazole nitrogen atom, and two chloride atoms; in 2, the Fe(II) center has distorted octahedral geometry, coordinated by six nitrogen atoms; two each from NCS^? groups and triazole rings, one from a pyridinyl ring, and one from tertiary amine nitrogen. In addition, complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods.     

Transformation of a ditopic Schiff base nickel(II) nitrate complex into an unsymmetrical Schiff base complex by partial hydrolytic degradation: structural and density functional theory studies

A new Schiff base complex [Ni(H₂L¹)(NO₃)](NO₃) (1) (H₂L¹ = 3-[N,N′-bis-2-(5-bromo-3-(morpholinomethyl) salicylideneamino) ethyl amine]) was synthesized from reaction of the ditopic ligand H₂L¹ with Ni(NO₃)₂ in anhydrous MeOH. Complex 1 is stable in the solid state, but prone to hydrolysis. Recrystallization of 1 from wet MeOH led to the isolation of a novel unsymmetrical complex [Ni(HL²)(NO₃)](NO₃) (2) (HL² = 2-[(2-(2-aminoethylamino) ethylimino) ethyl)-5-bromo-3-(morpholino methyl) salicylidene amine]). X-ray single-crystal analysis of complex 2 showed that complex 1 had undergone partial decomposition of one imine bond. In contrast, the Schiff base complex [Ni(HL³)](NO₃) (3) (H₂L³ = N,N′-bis(5-methyl-salicylidene) diethylenetriamine) was stable in wet methanol, and the single-crystal structure of 3 showed that the Ni(II) center was coordinated in an unsymmetrical square planar geometry. Density functional theory calculations were performed in order to obtain a geometry-optimized model of complex 1, in which the Ni(II) center was coordinated in a similar manner as that in complex 3. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated, in order to rationalize the difference in hydrolytic reactivity between complexes 1 and 3.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structures, spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric studies of Cu(II) Schiff base complexes of pyridoxal

Two mononuclear Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹H₂)](ClO₄)_1.25Cl_0.75·1.25H₂O (1) and [Cu(L²H₂)](ClO₄)₂ (2), of the pyridoxal Schiff base ligands N,N′-dipyridoxylethylenediimine (L¹H₂) and N,N′-dipyridoxyl-1,3-propanediimine (L²H₂) are reported. X-ray crystal structures of both complexes are also reported. In both complexes the pyridoxal nitrogen atoms remain protonated. In the solid state, the tetradentate Schiff base ligand is virtually planar in 1, while in 2 the ligand conformation is like an inverted umbrella. In cyclic voltammetry experiments it is found that in these complexes the Cu(III) and Cu(I) states are more easily accessible than in their salen type analogs. The pyridoxal Schiff base complexes are also found to be resistant to oxidative electro-polymerization, unlike their corresponding salicyl aldehyde Schiff base complexes.     

Synthetic aspects, crystal structures and antibacterial activities of manganese(III) and cobalt(III) complexes containing a tetradentate Schiff base

Three new Schiff base complexes, namely [Mn(L)Cl] · H₂O (1), [Co(L)Cl]₂ · 2CH₃COCH₃ (2) and [Co(L)NCS]₂ (3), where H₂L = 2,2′-[propane-1,2-diylbis(nitriloeth-1-yl-1-ylidene)]diphenol, have been prepared and characterized. The syntheses of 1 and 2 have been achieved by reacting equimolar amounts of the respective metal chloride and the tetradentate Schiff base ligand (H₂L). While the mononuclear Mn(III) complex 1 was obtained with MnCl₂ in acetone medium, the same synthetic system yielded the binuclear Co(III) complex 2 in the presence of CoCl₂. Dissolution of 1 and 2 followed by crystallization with ammonium thiocyanate in methanol yielded two isostructural phenoxo-bridged binuclear complexes, namely [Mn(L)NCS]₂ (previously reported by us) and a new complex [Co(L)NCS]₂ (3), respectively. All the complexes 1–3 have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single crystal X-ray diffraction and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies reveal that 1 adopts a distorted tetragonal pyramidal geometry while 2 and 3 comprise dimeric Co(III) units with bridging phenolate oxygen atoms. All the complex units in 1–3 and the respective solvent molecules are held together by weak intermolecular H-bonding to constitute a supramolecular network in the solid state. The antibacterial activity of the complexes has been tested against some Gram(+) and Gram(?) bacteria.     

Synthesis,X-ray crystal structure,and electrochemistry of polynuclear azido-bridged manganese(III) and copper(II) Schiff base complexes

New azido-bridged [Mn^III(salabza)(μ-1,3-N₃)]_n (1), and [Cu^II₄(salabza)₂(μ-1,1-N₃)₂(N₃)₂(HOCH₃)₂],(2) complexes with an unsymmetrical Schiff base ligand, {H₂salabza = N,N’-bis(salicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine}, have been synthesized, characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, and their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction. In complex 1, each manganese(III) atom is coordinated with N₂O₂ donor atoms from salabza and two adjacent Mn(III) centers are linked by an end-to-end (EE) azide bridge to form a helical polymeric chain with octahedral geometry around the Mn(III) centers. Complex 2 is a centrosymmetric tetranuclear compound containing two types of Cu(II) centers with square pyramidal geometry. Each terminal copper atom is surrounded by N₂O₂ atoms of a salabza ligand, and the oxygen atom of the methanol molecule. Each central copper(II) ion is coordinated with two phenoxo oxygen atoms from one salabza, one terminal azido, and two end-on (EO) bridging azido ligands. The central copper(II) ions are linked to each other by the two end-on (EO) azido groups.     

Comparative investigation of the copper(II) complexes of (R)-, (S)- and (R,S)-1-phenyl-N,N-bis(pyridine-3-ylmethyl)ethanamine along with the related complex of (R,S)-1-cyclohexyl-N,N-bis(pyridine-3-ylmethyl)ethanamine. Synthetic, magnetic, and structural studies

The interaction of the enantiopure (R)- and (S)-1-phenyl-N,N-bis(pyridine-3- ylmethyl)ethanamine ligands, R-L ¹ and S-L ¹ , with copper(II) chloride followed by addition of hexafluorophosphate resulted in the isolation of the corresponding enantiomeric complexes [Cu(R-L ¹ )Cl](PF₆) (1), [Cu(S-L ¹ )Cl](PF₆) (2) and [Cu(S-L ¹ )Cl](PF₆)??0.5Et₂O (3), in which dimerization occurs through two long Cu??????Cl interactions, the ??-chloro bridges being thus strongly asymmetric. The organic ligand is bound to the metal centre via its N₃-donor dipyridylmethylamine fragment in a planar fashion, such that each copper centre is in a square planar environment (or distorted square pyramidal with a long axial bond length if the additional interaction is considered). When R,S-L ¹ was employed in a parallel synthesis, the similar racemic complex [Cu(R,S-L ¹ )Cl](PF₆)??0.5MeOH (4) was obtained, in which the L ¹ ligands in each dimeric unit have opposite hands. In contrast to the complexes of L ¹ , the reaction of Cu(II) chloride with the related ligand, (R)-1-cyclohexyl-N,N-bis(pyridine-3-ylmethyl)ethanamine (R-L ² ), yielded the mononuclear complex [Cu(R,S-L ² )Cl₂] (5), displaying a distorted square pyramidal coordination geometry. The structure of this product along with its corresponding circular dichroism spectrum revealed that racemisation of the starting R-L ² ligand has occurred under the relatively mild (basic) conditions employed for the synthesis. A temperature-dependent magnetic studies of the complexes 1, 2 and 5 indicate that a week ferromagnetic interaction is operative in each dicopper core in 1 and 2 with 2J?=?1.2?cm^?1. On the other hand, a week antiferromagnetic intermolecular interaction is operative for 5.