A mixed-type of azametallacrown containing [Mn6(pnhz)6(DMF)4(H2O)2] and [Mn6(pnhz)6(DMF)2(H2O)4] constructed by a flexible pentadentate ligand

A mixed-type of azametallacrown based on a flexible pentadentate N-propionyl ligand was reported, which exhibits not only the completely different arrangement of the metal centers but also diversely geometric configurations of the N-terminal ligands, and this complex can further assemble into a novel 3-D supramolecular structure using two different aza18-MC-6 as secondary building units (SBUs) via the intermolecular C–H⋯π, π–π and C–H⋯O interactions. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of the title complex indicate that the complex presents significantly antiferromagnetic coupling among metal centers.