Phloroglucinol-bridged trinuclear complexes with three paramagnetic octahedral nickel(II) ions: Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties

► New C3- symmetric phloroglucinol-based bridging ligands. ► Trinuclear complexes with paramagnetic octahedral high-spin nickel(II) ions. ► Weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions are observed through the bridging ligands. ► Rather large zero-field splitting is observed for the nickel(II) ions. ► Competitive spin-polarization and superexchange mechanisms are observed, with the latter prevailing.