Heterometallic malonate complexes [AgNi(HO)(Rmal)] (Rmal is the dimethylmalonate dianion (Memal) ( 1) or the cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate dianion (Cbdc) ( 2)) and [AgCu(HO)(Memal)] ( 3) were synthesized. The bis-chelate fragment {M(Rmal)} (M = Ni, Cu) composed of two dianions of an acid and a 3d metal atom is the structure-forming unit of these complexes. The mononuclear fragments are linked by silver(I) atoms, which are involved in argentophilic interactions, to form 2D coordination polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]