Magnetic and caloric measurements on potassium lead hexanitrocuprate. K 2 PbCu(N0 2 )6' agree well with the theory for an antiferromagnetic Heisenberg linear S = 1/2 chain. Results for a related compound, in which lead is replaced by barium, can be analyzed in terms of an antiferromagnetic Heisenberg S = 1/2 simple quadratic lattice. These classifications are supported by existing data on the crystal structures of these compounds at low temperatures.PACS numbers: 75.40.Fa, 75.50.Ee J.