The novel polymeric chain copper(II) complex [Cu4(μ-Mesalpn)2(μ1,1,1-N3)2(μ1,1-N3)2Cu]n (1) was prepared by the reaction of Cu(NO3)2·3H2O with Mesalpn in the presence of an excess of NaN3. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study showed an unusual 1D polymeric chain based on pentanuclear Cu5 units with both μ1,1,1-N3 and μ1,1-N3 bridges, and with three independent Cu(II) ions presenting three different coordination numbers (4, 5 and 6). The magnetic susceptibility data show the presence of dominant anti-ferromagnetic interactions.