Syntheses, crystal structures, and characterization of heteronuclear complexes based on a versatile ligand with both acetylacetonate and bis(2-pyridyl) units

► A new bridging ligand containing both acetylacetonate and bis(2-pyridyl) units on the 1,3-dithiole moiety are prepared. ► Heteronuclear coordination complexes are obtained based on the ligand and their crystal structures are studied. ► The photoluminescence and magnetic studies show that the multidentate ligand could be useful for new multifunctional materials.