Polynuclear Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of tetraacetylethane: Cu<sup>II</sup><sub>2</sub>(dpa)<sub>2</sub>(tae)(O<sub>2</sub>CCF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, {[Cu<sup>II</sup><sub>2</sub>(dpa)<sub>2</sub>(tae)(4,4<i>'</i>-bipy)](O<sub>2</sub>CCF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>}<I><sub>n</sub></I>, and [Co<sup>II</sup><sub>2</sub>(dpa)<sub>4</sub>(tae)](O<sub>2</sub>CCH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>2</sub>, dpa = 2,2<i>'</i>-dipyridylamine, tae = tetraacetylethane dianion