Synthesis, structure and spectroscopy of trinuclear [Cu(mbpzbpy)NO3]2[Cu(NO3)4](CH3CN)2 without magnetic exchange coupling (mbpzbpy = 6,6′-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazolmethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine)

► A trinuclear compound of formula [Cu(mbpzbpy)NO3]2[Cu(NO3)4]·2(CH3CN) is reported. ► One Cu(II) is 5-coordinate by the N4 ligand mbpzbpy and monodentate nitrate anion. ► The Cu(II) in the counteranion has a distorted coordination from four asymmetric bidentate nitrate ions. ► No significant magnetic interaction has been observed down to 5 K.