Reaction of the symmetrical proligand H2L with metal(II) acetate and a counteranion to promote crystallisation has given the homodinuclear complexes [Zn2L(OAc)(2)](BF4)].2MeOH and [Ni2L(OAc)(2)](BF4)].2MeOH the crystal structures of which are reported. These show the presence of a triply bridging (mu-cresolato)bis(mu-carboxylato) dimetal core. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.