In this paper, we describe the coordinating behaviour of the (2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl) amine ligand with the copper(II) ion. This ligand is bidentate and forms, in accordance with the pH values, 1: 1 and 1:2 species (ratio metal:ligand). These species were characterized in aqueous solution by ESR spectroscopy and their overall stability constants were determined by potentiometric measurements. In solid state, we obtained the compounds [CuLHCl2](BF4) and [CuL2](BF4)(2). In ESR spectroscopy, the first compound is characterized by an axial g tensor (g(\\) = 2.268 and g(perpendicular to)= 2.091), whereas the second one is characterized by a rhombic g tensor (g(1) = 2.185, g(2) = 2.146 and g(3) = 2.026). We crystallized the [CuLHHCl2]Cl compound, in hydrochloric medium, from the [CuLHCl2](BF4) powder. The compound obtained is a pseudo octahedral dimeric system, in which each copper(II) is surrounded by two nitrogen atoms and four chloride ions. The intramolecular Cu-Cu distance is 3.859 Angstrom. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.