Two new one-dimensional compounds with end-to-end dicyanamide as a bridging ligand: syntheses and structural characterization of trans-[Mn(4-bzpy)2(N(CN)2)2]n and cis-[Mn(Bpy)(N(CN)2)2]n, (4-bzpy = 4-benzoylpyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl).

Two new one-dimensional compounds, trans-[Mn(4-bzpy)2(N(CN)2)2]n (1) and cis-[Mn(bpy)(N(CN)2)2]n (2), have been synthesized and studied from a magnetic point of view (4-bzpy = 4-benzoylpyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been solved. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2(1)/n group, a = 6.374(2) A, b = 7.584(2) A, c = 26.766(5) A, beta = 91.87 degrees, and Z = 2, whereas compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, C2/c group, a = 6.707(2) A, b = 17.188(5) A, c = 13.096(5) A, beta = 90.54 degrees, and Z = 4. The two compounds consist of chains with double mu 1,5-dicyanamide bridges between neighboring manganese(II) atoms. The weak antiferromagnetic coupling found for the two compounds (J = -0.3 cm-1 for 1 and -0.4 cm-1 for 2) has been studied by MO analysis, and the superexchange pathway through the mu 1,5-(NCNCN-) bridge has been compared with the shorter mu 1,3-(NNN-).