A new class of bipyridine-ligated metal carboxylate complexes: characterization of the triply-bridged ferromagnetically-coupled complexes [Cu2(OAc)3(bpy)2](ClO4) and [Cu2(OH)(H2O)(OAc)(bpy)2](ClO4)2

Treatment of Cu2(OAc)4·2H2O with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and NaClO4 in EtOH yields [Cu2(OAc)3(bpy)2](ClO4)(1) whereas the same reaction in hot water yields [Cu2(OH)(H2O)(OAc)(bpy)2](ClO4)2(2); the novel structures of the complexes are described, together with the results of magnetic susceptibility studies which show that both complexes possess intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling.