The success of Schiff bases, derivatives of o-vanillin, draws attention to this molecule as an interesting ligand by itself. The use of o-vanillin, or more specifically, its anion as a bridging ligand, is quite limited. Thus, 4f complexes, as trinuclear Gd(III) [1] or equivalent trinuclear Dy(III) [2] compounds, with an equilateral triangular topology, were synthesized and showed interesting single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties. Heterometallic structures using o-vanillin have been described in the case of dinuclear Ni(II) and Ln(III) (Ln = Ce, Pr, Gd, Tb, Y) ions, where metals are bridged by two deprotonated ligands. Also, tetranuclear NiII2-GdIII2 entities with a defect-dicubane central core in which two nickel(II) ions are linked with methoxo and hydroxo bridges have been reported [3].  Within a project aiming the systematically investigation of salicylaldehyde and its derivatives potential in 3d and 4f coordination chemistry, we introduce here the synthesis and structural determination of a dinuclear complex [Ni(o-van)2(CH3CN)(μ-Piv)Dy(NO3)(Piv)]·CH3CN (1) prepared from o-vanillin (o-van) as the main ligand and pivalate [Ni2(μ-OH2)(Piv)4(HPiv)4] precursor as Ni(II) ions source. The complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with Z=4, a=13.438(5), b=18.236(6), c= 15.0255(14) Å, α=γ=90°, β=93.099(18) °, V=3676.59 Å3. Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions are bridged by two o-vanillinate anions (singly deprotonated at the phenolate site) and one syn-syn η1: η1: μ2 pivalate ligand. Nickel coordination sphere is completed to six by nitrogen atom of a coordinated acetonitrile molecule, and LnIII ions are ninecoordinated with the coordination sphere completed by chelating nitrato and pivalate anions.