Bis-tris propane as a new multidentate ligand for nickel- and cobalt-based spin clusters.

We describe the first use of Bis-tris propane {2,2'-(propane-1,3-diyldiimino)bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol], H(6)L}, in nickel and cobalt chemistry and report the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of [Ni(4)(H(4)L)(H(3)L)(acac)(2)](+) (1) and [Co(II)(3)Co(III)(2)(H(2)L)(2)(acac)(3)(MeOH)](+) (2).