The synthesis and characterization of novel benzisothiazole-tetrazolyl derivatives differing on the spacer-group used for the linkage of two heterocycles are described. The application of these compounds as nitrogen ligands for coordination with transition metals was also explored, leading to the preparation of 3-[1-(2-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethoxy]-1,2-benzisothiazole 1,1-dioxide-Mn(II)and N-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-yl)-amine-1H-tetrazole-Mn(II) complexes. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.