The concomitant reaction of copper(II) with a heterocyclic nitrogenous cross-conjugated Lewis base (2,2′-dipyridyl ketone, dpk, or 2,2′-dipyridylamine, dpamH) and the anion of a 2-substituted 1,3-dione, β -, e.g. X-acac -(X ) H, Me, Cl, CN, NO 2 ) affords mixed-ligand chelates. The composition and structure of the chelates depend on the group linking the pyridyl rings. Chelation renders the 2,2′-dipyridyl ketone susceptible to nucleophilic attack by protic molecules. It also depends on the group attached to the β-dionato moiety since electron attracting substituents facilitate ligation of a water molecule when the 2,2′-dipyridylamine is present. Spectroscopic observations indicated square pyramidal or distorted tetragonal stereochemistries of the ensuing mixed-ligand chelates with the carbonyl oxygens and the pyridyl nitrogens forming the basal plane. Confirmation was acquired by X-ray structure determination of representative chelates. The compound [Cu(NC-acac)dpamH(H 2 O) OClO 3 ] crystallizes in the Pnma space group with Z ) 8 (i.e. four molecules per cell), a ) 17.996(1) Å, b ) 13.972(1) Å, c ) 7.801(1) Å. The copper atom is 2.401(3) Å from the oxygen of the water molecule and 2.60(2) Å from an oxygen atom of the ClO 4group. The chelate [Cu(NC-acac)dpC(OH)OCH 3 (OClO 3 ), resulting from the addition of methanol to the carbon atom bridging the pyridyl rings, crystallizes in the P2 1 /n space group with a ) 10.661-(1) Å, b ) 14.987(2) Å, c ) 13.963(1) Å, β ) 110.57(3)°, Z ) 4. An oxygen of the ClO 4group is in apical position, and it is 2.634(8) Å from the copper atom. The etheric oxygen is distanced 2.615(2) Å from the copper atom, and the O-Cu-O angle of these weak bonds is only 154.4(2)°. In these chelates the nitrogenous bases adopt the boat conformation with the pyridyl rings forming dihedral angles of approximately 33°.