Planar trinuclear complexes with linear arrays of metal ions

Two trinuclear complexes, [Cu-3(II) (L)(2)](BF4)(2) (1) and [Ni-3(II)(L)(2)(MeOH)(4)](BF4)(2) (2), supported by the multidentate ligand L2- (H2L = 5,5'-pyridyl-3,3'-bi-1H-pyrazole) were obtained and their structures determined. Both complexes have linear trinuclear structures composed of two ligands and three metal ions. Cryomagnetic studies reveal that both complexes show intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions.