Copper(II)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato)(2,6-dimethanolpyridine) has been prepared and studied by the single crystal X-ray diffraction methods at 293(2) K. The compound crystallises in an orthorhombic system, space group Pbcn with a=8.196(2), b=13.124(3), c=25.612(5) Å, and Z=8 (R=0.0374 for 3175 independent reflections with I>2σ(I)). Crystal structure analysis revealed that the copper(II) atom is surrounded by two non-equivalent terdentate ligands making up an ‘all-trans’ elongated octahedral arrangement. In consequence of Jahn–Teller distortion, considerable differences are found between the ligands for the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate anion with the values Cu–N 1.892(3), Cu–O 2.033(2) and 2.063(2) Å, while for the 2,6-dimethanolpyridine ligand the values are 1.943(3), 2.341(3) and 2.433(2) Å. There is a relationship between the Cu–L bond distances and the five-membered metallocyclic rings (O–Cu–N). The data are compared and discussed with those found in familiar CuL 2 compounds with the CuO 4 N 2 chromophore. Based on the molecular structure, the electronic, IR and EPR spectra are discussed.