Scheme illustrating the formation of complexes 1–11. 2,2′-bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipy is 4,4′-bipyridine, bpe is 1,2-bis-trans-(4-pyridyl)ethylene, pym = pyrimidine, pz = pyrazine. M(Piv)2 in the center of the scheme means [Mn(Piv)2(EtOH)]n or Ni(Piv)2(H2O)2 or [Co(Piv)2]n.