We present ab initio density functional calculations of the electronic structure and magnetic properties of X(2)/Cr(36)(001) and X(1)/Cr(37)(001) multilayers, with X=Sn, V and Mn, to investigate the impact of the proximity effects of the X layers on the spin density waves of the Cr slab. We find different magnetic profiles corresponding to the spin density wave and to the layered antiferromagnetic configurations. The nature of the different magnetic solutions is discussed in terms of the different interfacial environments in the proximity of Sn, V or Mn. The magnetic behavior at the interface is discussed in connection with the electronic structure through the density of electronic states projected at the interfacial X and Cr sites. We compare the results with those previously obtained for Fe(3)/X(1)/Cr(37)/X(1)(001) multilayers to analyze the role played by the ferromagnetic iron slab. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.