High-Spin M²⁺ Carboxylate Triangles from the Microwave

The reaction of M(O2CMe)2·4H2O (M = Ni, Co) with NaN3 in pyridine/MeOH under microwave irradiation and controlled pressure/temperature leads to the formation of the trimetallic species [M3(N3)3(O2CMe)3(py)5] (M = Ni, 1; Co, 2) in 4 min and in high yields. Both complexes display dominant ferromagnetic interactions and high-spin ground states.