Reaction of Mn(NCS)(2) and Cd(NCS)(2) with 4-(Boc-amino) pyridine leads to the formation of compounds of composition M(NCS)(2)(4-(Boc-amino) pyridine)(4)(M = Mn, 1-Mn; Cd, 1-Cd) and (M(NCS)(2)(4-(Boc-amino) pyridine)(2)(M = Mn, 2-Mn; Cd, 2-Cd). 1-Cd and 1-Mn, respectively 2-Cd and 2-Mn are isotypic and their structures were determined by X-ray single crystal or powder diffraction. 1-Mn and 1-Cd consist of discrete complexes, whereas in 2-Mn and 2-Cd the cations are linked into chains by mu-1,3-bridging anionic ligands. On heating 1-Cd and 1-Mn, mass steps are observed that indicate formation of compounds of composition M(NCS)(2)(4-(Boc-amino)pyridine)(2), but ex-situ XRPD investigations prove that amorphous intermediates are obtained. In contrast, temperature dependent XRPD measurements for 1-Cd indicate the formation of an unknown crystalline phase. Magnetic measurements on 2-Mn show dominating antiferromagnetic interactions along the chain and at T-N = 22.0 K antiferromagnetic ordering is observed. 1Cd and 2-Cd show bluish ligand-based luminescence with emission maxima at, respectively 22,301 cm(-1) and 20,678 cm(-1), while 1-Mn and 2-Mn present metal-based luminescence in the yellow spectral range with emission maxima at 18,382 cm(-1). (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.