Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of two discrete Cu(II) complexes with mixed-ligands: [Cu(mal)(L)(H2O)]·H2O and [Cu(Phmal)(L)2] (mal=malonate dianion, phmal=phenylmalonate dianion and L=5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

Two new Cu(II) complexes with mixed ligands, [Cu(mal)(L)(H2O)]·H2O (1) and [Cu(phmal)(L)]2 (2) (mal=malonate dianion, phmal=phenylmalonate dianion, L=5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-vis and X-ray single crystal diffraction. In both complexes the Cu(II) ions take five-coordinated square pyramidal geometry. 1 has a mononuclear structure, and assembles into a 2D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonding. 2 is a dinuclear complex, and also forms 2D framework via π-π interactions. The structural differences of the two complexes may be attributed to the variation of the substituted group of malonate dianion.