Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid anion

The complexes of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid anion with Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were obtained as polycrystalline solids with general formula M(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·nH₂O and colours typical for M(II) ions (Mn – slightly pink, Co – pink, Ni – slightly green, Cu – turquoise and Zn – white). The results of elemental, thermal and spectral analyses suggest that compounds of Mn(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are tetrahydrates whereas those of Co(II) and Ni(II) are pentahydrates. The carboxylate groups in these complexes are monodentate. The hydrates of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) heated in air to 1273 K are dehydrated in one step in the range of 323–411 K and form anhydrous salts which next in the range of 433–1212 K are decomposed to the following oxides: Mn₃O₄, CoO, NiO and ZnO. The final products of decomposition of Cu(II) complex are CuO and Cu. The solubility value in water at 293 K for all complexes is in the order of 10^–3 mol dm^–3. The plots of χ_M vs. temperature of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law. The magnetic moment values of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in these complexes were determined in the range of 76−303 K and they change from: 5.88–6.04 μ_B for Mn(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·4H₂O, 3.96–4.75 μ_B for Co(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·5H₂O, 2.32–3.02 μ_B for Ni(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·5H₂O and 1.77–1.94 μ_B for Cu(C₈H₆ClO₃)₂·4H₂O.     

Thermal, spectral and magnetic behaviour of 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) AND Cu(II)

Four new complexes of 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoic acid anion with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) cations were synthesized, analysed and characterized by standard chemical and physical methods. 2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) are polycrystalline compounds with colours typical for M(II) ions. The carboxylate group in the anhydrous complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) is monodentate and in that of Cu(II) monohydrate is bidentate bridging one. The anhydrous complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) heated in air to 1273 K are stable up to 505–517 K. Next in the range of 505–1205 K they decompose to the following oxides: Mn₃O₄, CoO, NiO. The complex of Cu(II) is stable up to 390 K, and next in the range of 390–443 K it loses one molecule of water. The final product of its decomposition is CuO. The solubility in water at 293 K is of the order of 10^–3 mol dm^–3 for the Mn(II) complex and 10^–4 mol dm^–3 for Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. The magnetic moment values of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzoates experimentally determined in the range of 77–300 K change from 5.64–6.57 μB (for Mn²⁺), 4.73–5.17 μB (for Co²⁺), 3.26–3.35 μB (for Ni²⁺) and 0.27–1.42 μB (for Cu²⁺). 2,3,4-Trimethoxybenzoates of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law, whereas that of Cu(II) forms a dimer.     

Synthesis and characterization of potassium 1,3-bis(N-methylpiperazino)propan-2-O-xanthate and the complexes of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I) ions

Potassium 1,3-bis(N-methyl piperazino)propan-2-O-xanthate (LK), and its complexes with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I) ions have been prepared and characterized as [CoL₂(H₂O)₂], [NiL₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O and CuL·2H₂O by FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C?NMR spectroscopies, elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and TGA techniques.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, and thermal analyses of trinuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with some sulfa derivatives

New bi- and trihomonuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with sulfa-guanidine Schiff bases have been synthesized for potential chemotherapeutic use. The complexes are characterized using elemental and thermal (TGA) analyses, mass spectra (MS), molar conductance, IR, ¹H-NMR, UV-Vis, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra as well as magnetic moment measurements. The low molar conductance values denote non-electrolytes. The thermal behavior of these chelates shows that the hydrated complexes lose water of hydration in the first step followed by loss of coordinated water followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligands in subsequent steps. IR and ¹H-NMR data reveal that ligands are coordinated to the metal ions by two or three bidentate centers via the enol form of the carbonyl C=O group, enolic sulfonamide S(O)OH, and the nitrogen of azomethine. The UV-Vis and ESR spectra as well as magnetic moment data reveal that formation of octahedral [Mn₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₆] (1), [Co₂(L¹)₂(H₂O)₈] (2), [Ni₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₆] (3), [Mn₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (5), [Co₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · 4H₂O (6), [Ni₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · 7H₂O (7), [Mn₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₆] (9), [Co₂(HL³)₂(H₂O)₈] · 4H₂O (10), [Ni₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (11), [Mn₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · H₂O (13), [Co₂(HL⁴)₂(H₂O)₈] · 5H₂O (14), and [Ni₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (15) while [Zn₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₂] (4), [Zn₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O (8), [Zn₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 3H₂O (12), and [Zn₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O (16) are tetrahedral. The electron spray ionization (ESI) MS of the complexes showed isotope ion peaks of [M]⁺ and fragments supporting the formulation.     

Bioactive Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Complexes Containing a Tridentate Sulfathiazole-Based (ONN) Schiff Base

New Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized with the Schiff base ligand obtained by the condensation of sulfathiazole with salicylaldehyde. Their characterization was performed by elemental analysis, molar conductance, spectroscopic techniques (IR, diffuse reflectance and UV–Vis–NIR), magnetic moments, thermal analysis, and calorimetry (thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry), while their morphological and crystal systems were explained on the basis of powder X-ray diffraction results. The IR data indicated that the Schiff base ligand is tridentate coordinated to the metallic ion with two N atoms from azomethine group and thiazole ring and one O atom from phenolic group. The composition of the complexes was found to be of the [ML₂]∙nH₂O (M = Co, n = 1.5 (1); M = Ni, n = 1 (2); M = Cu, n = 4.5 (3)) type, having an octahedral geometry for the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and a tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu(II) complex. The presence of lattice water molecules was confirmed by thermal analysis. XRD analysis evidenced the polycrystalline nature of the powders, with a monoclinic structure. The unit cell volume of the complexes was found to increase in the order of (2) < (1) < (3). SEM evidenced hard agglomerates with micrometric-range sizes for all the investigated samples (ligand and complexes). EDS analysis showed that the N:S and N:M atomic ratios were close to the theoretical ones (1.5 and 6.0, respectively). The geometric and electronic structures of the Schiff base ligand 4-((2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamide (HL) was computationally investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The predictive molecular properties of the chemical reactivity of the HL and Cu(II) complex were determined by a DFT calculation. The Schiff base and its metal complexes were tested against some bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis). The results indicated that the antibacterial activity of all metal complexes is better than that of the Schiff base.     

Isothiocyanate and selenocyanate complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) with a pyridylpyrazole-based ligand: synthesis,characterization, and structure

Mononuclear NCS^? containing complexes, [M(NCS)₂L] (L?=?N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)aminomethylpyridine), [Cu(NCS)₂L′] (L′?=?N-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)aminomethylpyridine), and NCSe^? containing complexes [ML(NCSe)(H₂O)]ClO₄ (M?=?Ni⁺², Co⁺²) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic, and physico-chemical methods. Structural studies of [Cu(NCS)₂L′] show copper is five coordinate with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry with two cis NCS^?. [M(NCS)₂L] and [ML(NCSe)(H₂O)]ClO₄ (M?=?Ni⁺² and Co⁺²) are expected to be octahedral.     

Spectroscopic evaluation of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes derived from thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized with thiosemicarbazone (L(1)) and semicarbazone (L(2)) derived from 2-acetyl furan. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic moment, mass, IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies. The molar conductance measurement of the complexes in DMSO corresponds to non-electrolytic nature. All the complexes are of high-spin type. On the basis of different spectral studies six coordinated geometry may be assigned for all the complexes except Co(L)(2)(SO(4)) and Cu(L)(2)(SO(4)) [where L=L(1) and L(2)] which are of five coordinated square pyramidal geometry.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new pyrrolidine containing sulfur ligand and the transition metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I)

Potassium 1,3-dipyrrolidinopropan-2-O-xanthate (LK), and its complexes with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I) have been prepared and characterized as [CoL₂(H₂O)₂]?·?2H₂O, [NiL₂(H₂O)₂] and CuL?·?2H₂O by FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and TGA techniques.     

The synthesis and characterization of three new vic -dioximes and their nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes

Three new vic-dioximes, [L¹H₂], N-(4-ethylphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime, [L²H₂], N-(4-butylphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime, and [L³H₂], N-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime were synthesized from 1-acetyl-1-cyclohexeneglyoxime and the corresponding substituted aromatic amines. Metal complexes of these ligands were also synthesized with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) salts. These new compounds (ligands and complexes) were characterized with FT–IR, magnetic susceptibility measurement, molar conductivity measurements, mass spectrometry measurements, thermal methods (e.g. thermal gravimetric analysis), ¹H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and ¹³C NMR spectral data and elemental analyses.     

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes of 14-membered hexaazamacrocycles: synthesis and characterization

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes containing 5,12-di(4-bromophenyl)-7,14-dimethyl-1,2,4,8,9,11-hexaazacyclotetradeca-7,14-diene-3,10-dione (H₂L¹) and 5,12-diphenyl-7,14-dimethyl-1,2,4,8,9,11-hexaazacyclotetradeca-7,14-diene-3,10-dione (H₂L²) have been synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, MALDI TOF-MS spectrometry, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The crystal structures of two compounds, [Cu₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄]_n and [NiL²], were determined by X-ray powder diffraction. In the polymeric [Cu₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄]_n, the Cu₂Cl₄ units and H₂L¹ molecules are situated on inversion centers. Each Cu(II) has a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment formed by N and O from H₂L¹ [Cu–N 2.340(14)?Å, Cu–O 1.952(11)?Å], two bridging chlorides [Cu–Cl 2.332(5), 2.279(5)?Å] and one terminal chloride [Cu–Cl 2.320(6)?Å]. In the [NiL²] complex, the Ni(II) situated on inversion center has a distorted square-planar coordination environment formed by four nitrogens from L² [Ni–N 1.860(11), 1.900(11)?Å].     

Thermal, spectral and magnetic characterization of Co(II), Ni(II) AND Cu(II) 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates

Physico-chemical properties of 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) were studied. The complexes were obtained as mono- and trihydrates with a metal ion to ligand ratio of 1:2. All analysed 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates are polycrystalline compounds with colours depending on the central ions: pink for Co(II), green for Ni(II), and blue for Cu(II) complexes. Their thermal decomposition was studied only in the range of 293–523 K, because it was found that on heating in air above 523 K 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates decompose explosively. Hydrated complexes lose crystallization water molecules in one step and anhydrous compounds are formed. The final products of their decomposition are the oxides of the respective transition metals. From the results it appears that during dehydration process no transformation of nitro group to nitrite takes place. The solubilities of analysed complexes in water at 293 K are of the order of 10^–4–10^–2 mol dm^–3. The magnetic moment values of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates experimentally determined at 76–303 K change from 3.89 to 4.82 μ_B for Co(II) complex, from 2.25 to 2.98 μ_B for Ni(II) 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoate, and from 0.27 to 1.44 μ_B for Cu(II) complex. 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), and Ni(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law. Complex of Cu(II) forms dimer.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) coordination polymers containing bis(imidazolyl) ligands

Two structurally related flexible imidazolyl ligands, bis(N-imidazolyl)methane (L₁) and 1,4-bis(N-imidazolyl)butane (L₂), were reacted with Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) salts of aliphatic/aromatic dicarboxylic acids resulting in the formation of a number of novel metal–organic coordination architectures, [CuB₂(ox)₂(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (1) (ox = oxalate), [Cu(pdc)(L₂)_1.5] · 4H₂O (2, pdc = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate), [Co(L)₂(H₂O)₂](tp) · 4H₂O (3, tp = terephthalate), [Ni(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂](ip) · 5H₂O (4, ip = isophthalate), [Cu₂(L₁)₄(H₂O)₄](tp)₂ · 7H₂O (5), [Co(mal)(L₁)(H₂O)] · 0.5MeOH (6, mal = malonate), [Co(pdc)(L₁)(H₂O)] (7). All the complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The different coordination modes of the dicarboxylate anions, due to their chain length, rigidity and diimidazolyl functionality, lead to a wide range of different coordination structures. The coordination polymers exhibit 1D single chain, ladder, 2D sheet and 2D network structures. The aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylates can adopt chelating μ₂ and chelating-bridging μ₃ coordination modes, or act as uncoordinated counter anions. The central metal ions are coordinated in N₂O₄, N₄O₂, N₂O₃ and N₃O₃ fashions, depending on the ancillary ligands. The topology of 1 gives rise to macrocycles which are connected through hydrogen bonds to form 1D chains, whereas compound 2 exhibits a 1D polymeric ladder in which the carboxylate acts as a pincer ligand. Compounds 3–5 show doubly bridged 1D chains, and the dicarboxylate groups are not coordinated but form 2D corrugated sheets with water molecules intercalated between the cationic layers. Compound 6 has a 2D network sheet structure in which each metal ion links three neighboring Co atoms by the bis(N-imidazolyl)methane ligand. The cobalt compound 7, with a 2D polymeric double sheet structure, is built from pincer carboxylate (pdc) and 1,4-bis(N-imidazolyl)methane ligands.     

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of aminothiazole‐derived Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,characterization, antibacterial and cytotoxicity evaluation,bovine serum albumin binding and density functional theory studies

Transition metal complexes of type M(L)₂(H₂O)_x were synthesized, where L is deprotonated Schiff base 2,4‐dihalo‐6‐(substituted thiazol‐2‐ylimino)methylphenol derived from the condensation of aminothiazole or its derivatives with 2‐hydroxy‐3‐halobenzaldehyde and M = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ (x = 0 for Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺; x = 2 for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺). The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were thoroughly characterized using infrared, ¹H NMR, electronic and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, elemental analysis, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the bidentate ligands form complexes having octahedral geometry around Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ metal ions while the geometry around Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ metal ions is four‐coordinated. The geometries of newly synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were fully optimized in Gaussian 09 using 6–31 + g(d,p) basis set. Fluorescence quenching data reveal that Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes bind more strongly to bovine serum albumin in comparison to Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The ligands and their complexes were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (Gram positive) and cytotoxicity against lever hepatocellular cell line HepG2.     

Simultaneous kinetic spectrophotometric determination of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) using partial least squares (PLS) regression

A partial least squares (PLS-1) calibration model based on kinetic—spectrophotometric measurement, for the simultaneous determination of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) ions is described. The method was based on the difference in the rate of the reaction between Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions with 1-(2-pyridylazo)2-naphthol in a pH 5.8 buffer solution and in micellar media at 25°C. The absorption kinetic profiles of the solutions were monitored by measuring the absorbance at 570 nm at 2 s intervals during the time range of 0–10 min after initiation of the reaction. The experimental calibration matrix for the partial least squares (PLS-1) model was designed with 30 samples. The cross-validation method was used for selecting the number of factors. The results showed that simultaneous determination could be performed in the range 0.1-2 μg mL⁻¹ for each cation. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) ions in water and in synthetic alloy samples.      

Hetero-binuclear chelates of Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) o-cresolphthalein complexonates with other metal ions

Heterobinuclear metal chelates of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ or Cu²⁺ and some transition metal ions with o-cresolphthalein complexone have been prepared and characterized. Elemental analyses are in agreement with proposed formulae. Thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) were used to determine the degradation products; some thermodynamic parameters were calculated. IR and UV-Vis spectra identified the mode of bonding between the metal ions and the ligand as well as its geometry. Magnetic moment determination and ESR spectra of the heterobinuclear complex revealed some antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal ions, which depends mainly on the two metal ions forming the chelate. Electrochemical studies of the complexes [DC-polarography and cyclic voltammetry (CV)] confirmed the existence and the nature of the metal ions in the chelate.     

Thermal Properties of Complexes of Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) With 2,2'-bipyridine Or 4,4'-bipyridine and Thiocyanates

The compounds ML₂(NCS)₂, (M(II)=Mn, Co), FeL₂(NCS)₂×2H₂O, NiL₃ NCS)₂×3H₂O (L=2,2'-bipyridine, 2-bipy) MX₂(NCS)₂×2H₂O (M(II)=Mn, Fe; X=4,4'-bipyridine, 4-bipy) have been prepared and their IR spectra and molar conductivity studied. The thermal decomposition of the complexes was studied under non-isothermal conditions in air. During heating the hydrated complexes lose crystallization water molecules in one or two steps and then decompose via different intermediate compounds to the oxides Mn₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, CoO, NiO. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with a new tetraazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligand containing a piperazine moiety: X-ray crystal structure determination of the Co(II) complex

Two macrocyclic Schiff base ligands, L¹ [1+1] and L² [2+2], have been obtained in a one-pot cyclocondensation of 1,4-bis(2-formylphenyl)piperazine and 1,3-diaminopropane. Unfortunately, because of the low solubility of both ligands, their separation was unsuccessful. In the direct reaction of these mixed ligands (L¹ and L²) and the appropriate metal ions only [CoL¹(NO₃)]ClO₄, [NiL¹](ClO₄)₂, [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂ and [ZnL¹(NO₃)]ClO₄ complexes have been isolated. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, FAB-MS, conductivity measurements and in the case of the [ZnL¹(NO₃)]ClO₄ complex with NMR spectroscopy.     

New Ni(II)Cu(II)Ni(II) trinuclear complexes with an 5=3/2 high-spin ground

Four new heterotrinuclear complexes have been synthesized and characterized, namely {[Ni(L)₂]₂[Cu(opba)]}(ClO₄)₂, where opba denotes o-phenylenebis(oxamato) and L stands for 1,10-phenanthroline(phen) (1), 5-nitro-l,10-phenanthroline(NO₂-phen) (2), 2,2′-bipyridyl(bpy) (S) and 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl(Me₂bpy) (4). The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of {[Ni(phen)₂]₂[Cu(opba)]}(ClO₄)₂3H₂O has been studied in the 4–300 K range, giving the exchange integral J—109 cm^?1. The HMT vs. T plot exhibits a minimum at about 100 K, characteristic of this kind of coupled polymetallic complex with an irregular spin-state structure.     

Preparation and Characterization of Sulfadiazine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schiff</Emphasis> Base Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Mn(II)

Summary. Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Mn(II) containing Schiff base NOS donor ligands have been synthesised via chemical and electrochemical techniques. The structure of the complexes has been elucidated by elemental analysis, conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, ESR, electronic spectral studies and thermal techniques (TGA and DTA). The electrochemical behaviour of the metal complexes was studied using DC polarography and cyclic voltammetry. Antimicrobial activity of the title Schiff base and its complexes has been tested against different microorganisms.     

Synthesis and structural studies of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) complexes with 2-acetylpyridine

Three new mononuclear complexes [Co(2-Acpy)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (1), [Ni(2-Acpy)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (2) and [Cd(2-Acpy)₂(NO₃)₂] (3) (2-Acpy = 2-acetylpyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The structures of 1 and 3 were accomplished by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic investigation of 1 reveals monomeric, dicationic units in which the cobalt(II) ion is six-coordinate. The coordination sphere is formed by two N, O bidentate acetylpyridine ligands and two water molecules. The crystal structure of 3 consists of monomeric units in which the cadmium is eight-coordinate. Both the organic ligand and nitrate groups are bidentate chelators. The supramolecular solid-state architecture is sustained by π–π interactions.