Two new complexes, namely [Cu(L1)(NO3)(bipy)] (1) and [Cu2(L2)4(H2O)2] (2) (HL1= 2-ethoxynicotinic acid, HL2= 2-methoxynicotinic acid and bipy=4,4′-bipyridine) have been synthesised and structurally characterised by single-crystal diffraction analysis. The structure of complex 1 is a ladder-like chain, which is connected by stronger hydroge n bond interactions to result in a 2D network. While complex 2 is composed of molecular dimmer based on a paddle-wheel unit with two coppers, four syn–syn carboxylates, and two water molecules coordinated to copper in the axial positions which could also be linked into a 2D supramolecular architecture via hydrogen bond interactions. Magnetic studies reveal the overall antiferromagnetic interactions between neighbouring Cu(II) ions in compounds 1 and 2.