Oxovanadium (IV) complexes with ligands derived from the reaction of salicylaldehyde with L-cysteine and with D-and D, L-penicillamine are prepared. The compounds are characterised by elemental analysis, spectroscopy (UV-VIS, CD, EPR), TG, DSC and magnetic susceptibility measurements (9–295 K). We discuss several aspects related to the structure of these complexes in the solid state and in solution; in particular, the possibility ...