Assembling of copper(II) dipicolinate complexes

The role of ancillary ligands, namely imidazole (im), pyridine (py), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in the assembly of copper(II) dipicolinate complexes are presented. Mononuclear complexes are observed in the case of monodentate ligands. The mononuclear complex [Cu(im)₃L]·4H₂O (1) (L = dipicolinate anion) has a distorted octahedral structure with Z′ = 2, whereas [CuL(py)(H₂O)]·2H₂O (2) adopts distorted square pyramidal geometry. The bidentate ligands bpy and phen favor the formation of dinuclear complexes. The dinuclear complex [CuL(bpy)(μ-L)Cu(bpy)(H₂O)]·9H₂O (3) has one carbonyl oxygen atom of a carboxylate group of dipicolinate acting as a bridging ligand to the copper site that is devoid of a coordinated water molecule. The complex has an angle of 83.55° between the plane of L and bpy attached to one copper site, whereas it has an angle of 78.13° between the plane L and bpy attached to the other copper site. A 1,10-phenanthroline containing dinuclear copper(II) dipicolinate complex, [Cu(phen)(H₂O)(μ-L)Cu(phen)₂][CuL₂]·12H₂O (4), has been structurally characterized. It has an unusual carboxylate bridge.     

Assembly and structures of five new Cu(II) complexes based on the V-shaped building block [Cu(dbsf)]

Five new copper(II) complexes [Cu(dbsf)(H₂O)]_n · 0.5n(i-C₃H₇OH) (1), [Cu(dbsf)(4,4′-bpy)_0.5]_n · nH₂O (2), [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]₂ · (n-C₃H₇OH) · 0.5H₂O (3), [Cu(dbsf)(phen)(H₂O)]₂ · 1.5H₂O (4) and [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]_n · n(i-C₃H₇OH) (5) (H₂dbsf = 4,4′-dicarboxybiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, i-C₃H₇OH = isopropanol, n-C₃H₇OH = n-propanol) have been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions. All of the complexes are assembled from V-shaped building blocks, [Cu(dbsf)]. Complex 1 is composed of 1D double-chains. In complex 2, dbsf²⁻ ligands and 4,4′-bpy ligands connect Cu(II) ions into catenane-like 2D layers. These catenane-like 2D layers stack in an ABAB fashion to form a 3D supramolecular network. Complexes 3 and 4 are 0D dimers, in which two [Cu(dbsf)] units encircle to form dimetal macrocyclic molecules. However, in complex 5, the V-shaped building blocks [Cu(dbsf)] are joined head-to-tail, resulting in the formation of infinite tooth-like chains. The different structures of complexes 3 and 5 may be attributed to the different solvent molecules included.     

Synthesis,structure and spectral studies on mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of diimines and acetylacetonate

Two new mixed ligand complexes of copper(II) with acetylacetonate (acac), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) belonging to the class of cytotoxic and antineoplastic compounds known as CASIOPEINAS^® were synthesized and structurally characterized. Crystals of both complexes [Cu(acac)(bpy)(H₂O)]NO₃ · H₂O (1), [Cu(acac)(phen)Br] (2) contain square pyramidal Cu(II) complex species. In frozen solution both compounds give well resolved EPR spectra with very similar parameters.     

Mononuclear,dinuclear and hydroxo-bridged tetranuclear complexes from reactions of Cu ions,mandelic acid and diimine ligands

The reaction of copper(II) hydroxocarbonate, mandelic acid (H₂MANO) and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in water affords [Cu(bpy)(μ₂-MANO)]₂ · 8H₂O (1), [Cu(bpy)(MANO)] · 4H₂O (2) and the opened tetranuclear hydroxo-bridged copper(II) complexes of formulae [Cu₄(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₂-MANO)₂(bpy)₄](phglyo)₂ · 8H₂O (3) (phglyo = phenylglyoxylate) or [Cu₄(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₂-OH)₂(OH₂)₂(phen)₄](Bza)₂(OH)₂ · 5H₂O (4) (Bza = benzoate), respectively. The compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The formation of 3 and 4 takes place in basic media through dehydrogenation or oxidative dehydrogenation followed by in situ oxidative decarboxylation of mandelic acid to phenylglyoxylate or benzoate, respectively. These results indicate that cooperative catalysis of diimine ancillary ligands and copper(II) is essential.     

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed from Zn/Cd-2,2′-bipyridines and polycarboxylic acids: Synthesis,characterization and microstructural studies

Metal–organic frameworks with the compositions [Zn(bpy)(bdc)(H₂O)]_n1, [Zn(bpy)(btec)_1/2(H₂O)]_n2, [Cd(bpy)(bdc)(H₂O)]_n3 and Cd(bpy)(btec)_1/2(H₂O)]_n4 (H₂bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid = terephthalic acid, H₄btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In these complexes, Zn^II/Cd^II-2,2′-bipyridine units and carboxylate anions exists as nodes and spacers respectively. An infinite 1D zig-zag chain structure is observed for both complexes 1 and 3, whereas complexes 2 and 4 display a 3D supramolecular architecture. The complexes are found to be photoluminescent, porous and show significant thermal stability.     

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.     

Anion effect on the construction of copper(II) coordination polymers with the twisted ligand bis(4-pyridylthio)methane

The reaction of CuSO₄ · H₂O with 4-bpytm [4-bpytm = bis(4-pyridylthio)methane] in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(SO₄)(4-bpytm)(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (1 · H₂O) while the reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · H₂O (2 · H₂O). The reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH/dmf under microwave irradiation afforded the pseudo-polymorph [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · Solv (2 · Solv). Compound 1 · H₂O forms helical chains while compounds 2 · H₂O and 2 · Solv are 2D coordination polymers with a (4,4) topology based on rhombic grids in 2 · H₂O and on a parquet motif in 2 · Solv. The 3D supramolecular organization through hydrogen bonding is analyzed for the three compounds and their thermal behaviour was also investigated.     

Subtle role of counteranions in molecular construction: Structures and properties of novel Cu(II) coordination complexes with bis-(1-benzoimidazolymethylene)-(2,5-thiadiazoly)-disulfide

The direct self-assembly of bis-(1-benzoimidazolymethylene)-(2,5-thiadiazoly)-disulfide (L) with CuSO₄, Cu(NO₃)₂ and CuCl₂ affords three novel supramolecular complexes: 1-D ladder-like chain complex {[Cu(SO₄)(L)] · (CH₃OH)}_n (1), dimer complexes {[Cu(L)(CH₃O)]₂(NO₃)₂} · 2H₂O (2) and [Cu(L)(Cl)(N₃)]₂ · 2CH₃OH (3). The nature of the anions is the underlying reason behind the differences in the structures of this series of complexes. Furthermore, utilizing the coordinatively unsaturated complexes 2 and 3 as precursor complexes, two new derivative complexes [Cu(L)(NCS)(CH₃O)]₂ · 2CH₃OH (2A) and [Cu(L)(ClO₄)(N₃)]₂ · 2CH₃OH (3A) are obtained by the addition and exchange reactions of complexes 2 and 3 with anions. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the two derivatives retain the skeletons of their precursor complexes, and the anions with the stronger coordination capacity only bind to the active position of precursor complexes. In addition, different from the obvious effects on the structures in the direct self-assembly of the metal and ligand, the change of counteranions has no great impact on the structures in the anion exchange reactions. We also study the catalytic activities of the complexes 2, 2A, 3, and 3A, which have similar skeletons, for the oxidative coupling polymerization of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP). And we find that the introductions of different coordination counterions produce significant impacts on the catalytic properties of these complexes.     

From discrete entity to three-dimensional architecture: Syntheses,crystal structures and optical properties of a series of transition metal complexes constructed from 4-carboxymethylbenzoic acid and 4,4′-bipyidine

Five new interesting transition metal coordination polymers [MnL₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (1) (H₂L = 4-carboxymethylbenzoic acid) (bpy = 4,4′-bipyidine), [CoL(bpy)(H₂O)₃ · H₂O]_n (2), [CdL(bpy)(H₂O)₃ · H₂O]_n (3), [Cu₂L(bpy)₂ · 3H₂O]_n (4) and [Zn₂L₂(bpy) · H₂O]_n (5) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. This series of complexes has shown an intriguing variety of architectures, which firstly form zero- to two-dimensional frameworks by metal–ligand interactions, and secondly form three-dimensional supramolecular frameworks by intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonds. Compound 3 shows strong blue fluorescent emissions in the solid state upon photo-excitation at 359 nm at room temperature and may be an excellent candidate for blue-fluorescent materials. Compound 4 appears to be a good candidate for new hybrid inorganic–organic NLO materials.     

Alkyl group dependence on structure and magnetic properties in layered cobalt coordination polymers containing substituted glutarate ligands and 4,4′-bipyridine

Five two-dimensional divalent cobalt coordination polymers containing 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) and substituted or unsubstituted glutarate ligands have been prepared hydrothermally and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Co(mg)(bpy)]_n (1, mg=3-methylglutarate) forms a (4,4) rhomboid grid structure based on the connection of {Co₂(CO₂)₂} dimeric units. Using the more sterically encumbered ligands 3,3-dimethylglutarate (dmg) and 3-ethyl, 3-methylglutarate (emg) generated {[Co(dmg)(bpy)(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n (2) and {[Co(emg)(bpy)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (3), respectively. These complexes manifest {Co(CO₂)}_n chains linked into 2-D by aliphatic dicarboxylate and bpy ligands. The “tied-back” substituted glutarate ligand 1,1-cyclopentanediacetate (cda) afforded [Co(cda)(bpy)]_n (4), and the unsubstituted glutarate (glu) generated [Co(glu)(bpy)]_n (5), both of which exhibit a topology similar to that of 1. The magnetic properties of complexes 1-4 were analyzed successfully with a recently developed phenomenological chain model accounting for both magnetic coupling (J) and zero-field splitting effects (D), even though 1 and 4 contain isolated, discrete {Co₂(CO₂)₂} dimers. The D parameter in this series varied between 21.8(8) and 48.0(9) cm⁻¹. However weak antiferromagnetic coupling was observed in 1 (J=-2.43(4) cm⁻¹) and 4 (J=−0.89(2) cm⁻¹), while weak ferromagnetic coupling appears to be operative in both 2 (J=0.324(5) cm⁻¹) and 3 (J=0.24(1) cm⁻¹).     

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.     

Syntheses and characterizations of nine coordination polymers of transition metals with carboxylate anions and bis(imidazole) ligands

Nine new compounds, namely [CuL1(biim-6)] · H₂O (1), [ZnL1(biim-6)] · H₂O (2), [MnL1(biim-6)] · H₂O (3), [MnL1(biim-4)] (4), [Co₂(L2)₂(biim-5)₃ · 6H₂O] · 8H₂O (5), [ZnL3(biim-6)] (6), [ZnL3(biim-5)] (7), [CdL3(biim-5) · 1.5H₂O] · 0.5H₂O (8) and [CdL4(biim-6) · 2H₂O] (9) [where L1 = oxalate anion, L2 = fumarate anion, L3 = phthalate anion, L4 = p-phthalate anion, biim-4 = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole), biim-5 = 1,1′-(1,5-pentanedidyl)bis(imidazole) and biim-6 = 1,1′-(1,6-hexanedidyl)bis(imidazole)] were successfully synthesized. Compounds 1–3 are isostructural, and display 2D polymeric structures. Compound 4 shows a threefold interpenetrating diamondoid framework. In compound 5, the anions act as counterions, and the metal cations are bridged by bis(imidazole) ligands to form 1D polymeric chains. Compounds 6–9 show 2D polymeric structures. The magnetic properties for 1, 3 and 4 and luminescent properties for 2 and 6–9 are discussed. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) for these compounds are also discussed.     

Synthesis, structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of four coordination polymers with the flexible 1,3-phenylenediacetate ligands

Four coordination polymers, [Zn(pda)(bpy)(H₂O)]_n·nH₂O (1), [Cd(pda)(prz)(H₂O)]_n (2), [Co₃(μ₃-OH)₂(pda)₂(pyz)]_n·2nH₂O (3) and [Pr₂(pda)₃(H₂O)₂]_n (4) (H₂pda=1,3-phenylendiacetic acid, bpy=4,4′-bipyridine, prz=piperazine and pyz=pyrazine) have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 is a 1D wheel-like chain structure, which is further extended into a 3D metal-organic supramolecular framework by H-bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Complex 2 is a 1D ladder-like chain structure, which is also further extended into a 3D metal-organic supramolecular framework by H-bonds. Complex 3 possess a 2D sheet structure with infrequent two pairs of double-helix chains. Complex 4 features a 3D structure. Both 1 and 2 display strong blue fluorescent emission at room temperature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of complexes 3 and 4 exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between the nearest metal ions, with C=9.99 and 3.43 cm³ mol⁻¹ K, and θ=−23.9 and −46.3 K, respectively.     

Architecture of zero-, one-, two- and three-dimensional structures based on metal ions and pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Six new complexes: [Ln₂(pzda)₃(H₂O)₂] · 2.5H₂O (Ln = Nd, (1); Eu, (2)), [Co(pzda) (bpe)] · 0.125(bpe) · 1.75H₂O (3), [Mn(pzda)(H₂O)_1.5] (4), [Co₂(pzda)₂(bpe)(H₂O)₄] · 0.5(CH₃OH) · H₂O (5) and [Co(pzda)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 0.5H₂O (6) (H₂pzda = pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) were obtained from metal salts and H₂pzda under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions. The single crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that the title complexes have different structures, ranging from zero- to three- dimensions, which are mainly due to the different metal ions, and especially the coordination modes of the pzda ligands. Complexes 1 and 2 have 3D metal-organic frameworks containing a 1D tri-strand array, in which the pzda ligand adopts a pentadentate mode to link lanthanide ions. Complex 3 has a 2D metal-organic framework, in which the pzda ligand acts in a tetradentate mode to connect Co(II) ions into 1D chains, which are further connected by bpe spacers into a 2D framework. While in 4, both of the two carboxylate groups of the pzda ligand adopt μ₂-O bridging modes to link Mn(II) ions into a 1D coordination polymer, which is further assembled into a 2D supramolecular network containing double-stranded hydrogen-bonded helical chains. In both 5 and 6, the pzda ligand binds metal ions as a tridentate ligand (ONO mode) to form zero dimensional structures. Complex 5 is a binuclear molecule, while 6 is a mononuclear complex, which can be attributed to the bridging ligand bpe for 5 and the terminal auxiliary ligand 2,2′-bpy for 6.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of straight or zigzag one-dimensional coordination polymers based on Cu(II) square pyramidal or Cu(I) tetrahedral coordination environments

Two coordination polymers containing copper ions, [Cu(SO₄)(pyz)(H₂O)]_n (1) and [Cu₂(SO₄)(pyz)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (2) (pyz = pyrazine), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Compound 1 was synthesized by the reaction of Cu(SO₄) · 5H₂O with pyz (ratio = 1:2) in H₂O at room temperature. The structure of 1 consists of linear chains of [Cu(pyz)(H₂O)]²⁺, with coordinated sulfate ions bridging the chains. Compound 2 was obtained as dark red blocks from the reaction of Cu(SO₄) · 5H₂O and pyz (ratio = 1:2) in H₂O, after heating to 180 °C in a Teflon autoclave for 48 h. The structure of 2 consists of zigzag chains of [Cu(pyz)(H₂O)]⁺ with sulfate ions. Only the difference in the synthesis temperature, room temperature or 180 °C, determines whether Cu(II) or Cu(I) coordination polymers are formed, with the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) being explained by the Gillard mechanism.     

New metal–organic architectures of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) with tripodal ligand 5-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)aminoisophthalic acid

Four new coordination polymers {[Ni(HL)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (1), {[Co(HL)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (2), {[Co(HL)]·4H₂O}_n (3) and {[Zn(HL)]·2H₂O·0.5C₂H₅OH}_n (4) [H₃L = 5-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)aminoisophthalic acid] have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes 1 and 2 display (3, 3)-connected 2D network with (4, 8²) topology. While 3 and 4 exhibit a binodal (3, 6)-connected 2D network with a Schläfli symbol (4³)₂(4⁶, 6⁶, 8³). The complexes 1–4 show remarkable thermal stability and 4 exhibits blue fluorescence with maximum emission at 413 nm upon excitation at 362 nm in the solid state at room temperature. In addition, the magnetic measurements of 3 indicate that there are antiferromagnetic interactions between the neighboring Co(II) centers.     

Synthesis,structure and properties of some copper(II) complexes containing an ONO donor Schiff base and substituted imidazole ligands

Five new mixed ligand coper(II) complexes, viz. [Cu(SAA)(H₂O)] (1), [Cu(SAA)(MeImH)] (2), [Cu(SAA)(EtImH)] (3), [Cu(SAA)(BenzImH)] (4) and [Cu(SAA)(MebenzImH)] (5), where SAA = salicylideneanthranilic acid, MeImH = 2-methylimidazole, EtImH = 2-ethylimidazole, BenzImH = benzimidazole, MebenzImH = 2-methylbenzimidazole, have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, FAB mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility, X-band EPR, electronic spectroscopy, IR and cyclic voltammetry. The frozen solution EPR spectra of the complexes have shown axial features. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 2 and 3 has revealed the presence of a distorted square planar geometry (N₂O₂) in the complexes. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the present complexes has also been measured and discussed.     

Syntheses, crystal structures of a series of copper(II) complexes and their catalytic activities in the green oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol

Three mixed-ligand Cu^II complexes bearing iminodiacetato (ida) and N-heterocyclic ligands, namely, [Cu₂(ida)₂(bbbm)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1), [Cu₂(ida)₂(btx)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O (2) and [Cu₂(ida)₂(pbbm)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O · 3CH₃OH (3) (bbbm = 1,1^′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole, btx = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, pbbm = 1,1^′-(1,3-propanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole), in addition to three fcz-based Cu^II complexes, namely, {[Cu(fcz)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2NO₃}_n (4), {[Cu(fcz)₂(H₂O)] · SO₄ · DMF · 2CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (5) and {[Cu(fcz)₂Cl₂] · 2CH₃OH}_n (6) (fcz = 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-bis[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl) methyl]ethanol) have been prepared according to appropriate synthetic strategies with the aim of exploiting new and potent catalysts. Single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that 1 and 2 possess similar binuclear structures, 3 features a 2D pleated network, and 4 exhibits a 1D polymeric double-chain structure. Complexes 1-6 are tested as catalysts in the green catalysis process of the oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP). Under the optimized reaction conditions, these complexes are catalytically active by showing high conversion of DMP and high selectivity of PPE. The preliminary study of the catalytic-structural correlations suggests that the coordination environment of the copper center have important influences on their catalytic activities.     

Three new pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate copper(II) compounds with coordinated pyridine-based ligands: Synthesis, characterisation and crystal structures

Three new Cu(II) compounds of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂pdc) with meta-substituted pyridines as additional ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterised using X-ray diffraction. Two of them are mononuclear compounds, i.e. [Cu(pdc)(3acpyr)(H₂O)] (1) (3acpyr = 3-acetylpyridine) and [Cu(pdc)(3HOp)(H₂O)](H₂O)₂ (2) (3HOp = 3-hydroxypyridine). The third compound is polynuclear, i.e. [Cu(pdc)(μ-3HOmp-κN,O)]_n (3) (3HOmp = 3-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine). The three compounds are also characterised by IR, EPR and ligand field spectroscopy. The geometry around the Cu(II) ions is distorted square pyramidal for compounds 1 and 2 and distorted octahedral for compound 3. The lattice of compound 1 is organised by an intra-sheet hydrogen-bond pattern generating double layers. Compound 2 has a lattice arranged by the two water molecules in the lattice with complicated 2D O-H?O intra-sheet hydrogen bonding motifs.The zig-zag chains in compound 3 are further organised in layers, due to the axial coordination at Cu(II), forming a so-called (4, 3) ladder-like one-dimensional coordination polymer. These ladders are interconnected by hydrogen bonding.