Novel thioarsenates {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)][Mn(2,2'-bipy)](As(V)S4)}2 and {[Mn(2,2'-bipy)2(SCN)]2[As(III)2(S2)2S2]}: introducing an anionic second ligand to modify MnII complex cations of 2,2'-bipyridine.