Two-dimensional octacyano-bridged Mn(II)–Nb(IV) bimetal assembly with four different configurations of 3-hydroxypyridines

We report the crystal structure and magnetic properties of a two-dimensional cyano-bridged MnII(S = 5/2)–NbIV(S = 1/2) bimetal assembly (1), and the magnetic properties of an isostructural cyano-bridged MnII–MoIV(S = 0) bimetal assembly (2). 1 contains 3-hydroxypyridine ligands with four types of coordination arrangements, includes μ-oxo-bridged Mn–Mn sites, and shows ferrimagnetism with a Curie temperature of 16 K due to the antiferromagnetic MnII–NbIV superexchange interaction through the cyano groups. 2 exhibits paramagnetism with the antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn and Mn through the μ-oxo-bridges.