Anionic metal dicyanamide networks with paramagnetic counter-cations

The M(bipy)(3)(2+) cations in the isomorphous structures of [M(bipy)(3)][M'(dca)(3)](2), [dca = dicyanamide, N(CN)(2)(-); M = Fe, M' = Mn 1, Fe 2 or M = Ni, M' = Mn 3] are contained within hexagonal windows of anionic 2D (6,3) M(dca)(3)(-) sheets; weak antiferromagnetic coupling is observed between metal centres within the anionic networks of all three compounds.