The complexes [(L)(2)(Ni2MII)-M-II(mu(2)-1,3-OAc)(2)(mu(2)-1,1-OAc)(2)(S)(2)]center dot xMeOH [HL = N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-aminoethyl-2-pyridine; M = Ni, S = MeOH, x = 6 (1); M = Mn, S = H2O, x = 0 (2); M = Co, S = MeOH, x = 6 (3)] have been synthesized. Crystal structures reveal that three octahedral M-II ions form a linear array with two terminal moieties {(L)Ni-II(mu(2)-1,3-OAc)(mu(2)-1,1-OAc)(MeOH/H2O)}(-) in a facial donor set and a central M-II ion which is connected to the terminal ions via bridging phenolate and two types of bridging acetates. Magnetic measurements reveal that the Ni-3(II) and (Ni2CoII)-Co-II centers are ferromagnetically and (Ni2MnII)-Mn-II center is antiferromagnetically coupled. An attempt has been made to rationalize the observed magneto-structural behavior.