Comparison between two series of [Ni^IILn^III] and [Zn^IILn^III] dimers reveals lower intermolecular interactions for the square-planar Ni^IIderivatives that favour an induced SIM response. Some unusual Ce^III, Nd^IIIand Yb^IIISIMs are reported.

Four new heterometallic Cu(ii)–Mn(ii) complexes have been synthesised by using a Cu(ii) complex of an unsymmetrical Schiff base as O₃ donor ligand; one of which is catalytically active towards catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase activities.

The field-induced out-of-phase magnetic response of a Gd^III complex, selected by its good isolation in the network, has been analyzed and the behaviour of this quasi-isotropic cation has been related to its weak axial zero field splitting ∼0.1 cm⁻¹.