The triazenide, 1-[(2-carboxyethyl)benzene]-3-[2-pyridine]triazene (HL), has been synthesized. In the presence of Et 3 N, the reaction of HL with Cu(OAc) 2 ÁH 2 O or CuCl 2 Á2H 2 O gives the tetranuclear copper(II) complexes {Cu 4 (L) 2 (l 2 -OH) 2 (OAc) 4 } 1 and {Cu 4 L 4 (l 4 -O)Cl 2 } 2, respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of both complexes have been obtained. Magnetic studies indicate significant antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper(II) centers for both complexes, with coupling constants (J) of -493.4 cm -1 for 1 and -165 cm -1 for 2.