Linear trinuclear manganese(II) complexes: crystal structures and magnetic properties

Two new trinuclear complexes, [Mn3(O2CCH(CH3)2)6(N-N)2] (N-N is phen (1) and bpy (2)) with a linear arrangement of three Mn(II) bridged by six isobutyric carboxylates exhibit an ST = 5/2 spin ground state with antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent metal centers: J/kB = −2.31(2) and −2.67(2) K for 1 and 2.