Tristability in a Light-Actuated Single-Molecule Magnet

Octacyanidotungstate(IV) Coordination Chains Demonstrate a Light-Induced Excited Spin State Trapping Behavior and Magnetic Exchange Photoswitching

A huge increase in the magnetization of two coordination chains based on tetravalent octacyanidometalates (W^IV and Mo^IV ) is observed on irradiation with 436 nm light, while no such behavior is observed for the Nb^IV analogue. A photomagnetic response based solely on [W^IV (CN)₈ ]^4- is demonstrated for the first time. The observed behavior is attributed to the light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect at the octacyanidometalate, and to the resulting magnetic exchange ON/OFF photoswitching between the Mn^II center and the photoinduced high-spin (S=1) W^IV or Mo^IV centers.

Probing the Effects of Ligand Field and Coordination Geometry on Magnetic Anisotropy of Pentacoordinate Cobalt(II) Single-Ion Magnets

In this work, the effects of ligand field strength as well as the metal coordination geometry on magnetic anisotropy of pentacoordinated Co^II complexes have been investigated using a combined experimental and theoretical approach. For that, a strategic design and synthesis of three pentacoordinate Co^II complexes [Co(bbp)Cl₂]·(MeOH) (1), [Co(bbp)Br₂]·(MeOH) (2), and [Co(bbp)(NCS)₂] (3) has been achieved by using the tridentate coordination environment of the ligand in conjunction with the accommodating terminal ligands (i.e., chloride, bromide, and thiocyanate). Detailed magnetic studies disclose the occurrence of slow magnetic relaxation behavior of Co^II centers with an easy-plane magnetic anisotropy. A quantitative estimation of ZFS parameters has been successfully performed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both the sign and magnitude of ZFS parameters are prophesied well by this DFT method. The theoretical results also reveal that the α → β (SOMO-SOMO) excitation contributes almost entirely to the total ZFS values for all complexes. It is worth noting that the excitation pertaining to the most positive contribution to the ZFS parameter is the d_xy → d_x²-y² excitation for complexes 1 and 2, whereas for complex 3 it is the d_z² → d_x²-y² excitation.

Field-Induced Co(II) Single-Ion Magnets with mer-Directing Ligands but Ambiguous Coordination Geometry

Three air-stable Co(II) mononuclear complexes with different aromatic substituents have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mononuclear complexes [Co(H₂L1)₂]·2THF (1), [Co(HL2)₂] (2), and [Co(H₂L3)₂]·CH₂Cl₂ (3) (where H₃L1, H₂L2, and H₃L3 represent 3-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (6-hydroxymethyl-pyridin-2-ylmethylene) hydrazide, nicotinic acid (6-hydroxymethyl-pyridin-2-ylmethylene) hydrazide, and 2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (6-hydroxymethyl-pyridin-2-ylmethylene) hydrazide, respectively) feature a distorted mer octahedral coordination geometry. Detailed magnetic studies of 1-3 have been conducted using direct and alternating current magnetic susceptibility data. Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation was observed for these three complexes. There are few examples of such behavior in (distorted) octahedral coordination geometry (OC) Co(II) mononuclear complexes with uniaxial anisotropy. Analysis of the six-coordinate Co(II) mononuclear single-ion magnets (SIMs) in the literature using the SHAPE program revealed that they all show what is best described as distorted trigonal prismatic (TRP) coordination geometry, and in general, these show negative D zero-field splitting (ZFS) values. On the other hand, all the Co(II) mononuclear complexes displaying what is best approximated as distorted octahedral (OC) coordination geometry show positive D values. In the new Co(II) mononuclear complexes we describe here, there is an ambiguity, since the rigid tridentate ligands confer what is best described for an octahedral complex as a mer coordination geometry, but the actual shape of the first coordination sphere is between octahedral and trigonal prismatic. The negative D values observed experimentally and supported by high-level electronic structure calculations are thus in line with a trigonal prismatic geometry. However, a consideration of the rhombicity as indicated by the E value of the ZFS in conjunction with the SHAPE analysis shows that in this case it is difficult to distinguish between the OC and TRP descriptions.

Pentagonal Bipyramid FeII Complexes: Robust Ising-Spin Units towards Heteropolynuclear Nanomagnets

Pentagonal bipyramid Fe^II complexes have been investigated to evaluate their potential as Ising-spin building units for the preparation of heteropolynuclear complexes that are likely to behave as single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The considered monometallic complexes were prepared from the association of a divalent metal ion with pentadentate ligands that have a 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(hydrazone) core (H₂ L^N3O2R ). Their magnetic anisotropy was established by magnetometry to reveal their zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D, which ranged between -4 and -13 cm^-1 and was found to be modulated by the apical ligands (ROH versus Cl). The alteration of the D value by N-bound axial CN ligands, upon association with cyanometallates, was also assessed for heptacoordinated Fe^II as well as for related Ni^II and Co^II derivatives. In all cases, N-coordinated cyanide ligands led to large magnetic anisotropy (i.e., -8 to -18 cm^-1 for Fe and Ni, +33 cm^-1 for Co). Ab initio calculations were performed on three Fe^II complexes, which enabled one to rationalize the role of the ligand on the nature and magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy. Starting from the pre-existing heptacoordinated complexes, a series of pentanuclear compounds were obtained by reactions with paramagnetic [W(CN)₈ ]^3- . Magnetic studies revealed the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers in all the heterometallic systems. Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation was observed for mononuclear Fe^II complexes (U_eff /k_B up to 53 K (37 cm^-1 ), τ₀ =5×10^-9  s), and SMM behavior was evidenced for a heteronuclear [Fe₃ W₂ ] derivative (U_eff /k_B =35 K and τ₀ =4.6 10^-10  s), which confirmed that the parent complexes were robust Ising-type building units. High-field EPR spectroscopic investigation of the ZFS parameters for a Ni derivative is also reported.

Switchable slow relaxation of magnetization in the native low temperature phase of a cooperative spin-crossover compound

The implementation of single-molecule magnet properties in spin crossover materials is sought as a unique source of magnetic multistability at the molecular level. Examples however remain extremely scarce, in part due to the diamagnetic state of most Fe(ii) spin crossover materials at low temperatures. We have studied the complex [Fe(mtz)6](CF3SO3)2 (mtz = 1-methyltetrazole) as a tantalizing candidate of such coexistence, due to its known partial spin crossover and therefore paramagnetic native low temperature phase. The single-crystal structures of [Fe(mtz)6](CF3SO3)2 reported here allow rationalizing its peculiar cooperative spin-crossover behavior. Importantly, the high-spin Fe crystallographic sites at low temperature exhibit a high symmetry with a local trigonal distortion, usually source of magnetic anisotropy. The analysis of equilibrium magnetic properties confirm the presence of a significant magnetic anisotropy at the Fe(ii) high spin sites in the high symmetry low temperature phase. This results in field-induced slow relaxation of their magnetization which is dominated at low temperature by tunneling and direct processes and is strongly enhanced above 3 K by Raman and Orbach processes. Unprecedentedly, these single-molecule magnet properties are observed in the native ground state of a spin crossover material and efficiently and reversibly switched OFF through visible light irradiation.

Switchable Multiple Spin States in the Kondo description of Doped Molecular Magnets

We show that introducing electrons in magnetic clusters and molecular magnets lead to rich phase diagrams with a variety of low-spin and high-spin states allowing for multiple switchability. The analysis is carried out for a quantum spin-fermion model using the exact diagonalization, and the cluster mean-field approach. The model is relevant for a number of molecular magnets with triangular motifs consisting of transition metal ions such as Cr, Cu and V. Re-entrant spin-state behavior and chirality on-off transitions exist over a wide parameter regime. A subtle competition among geometrical frustration effects, electron itinerancy, and Kondo coupling at the molecular level is highlighted. Our results demonstrate that electron doping provides a viable mean to tame the magnetic properties of molecular magnets towards potential technological applications.

Probing the influence of molecular symmetry on the magnetic anisotropy of octahedral cobalt(ii) complexes

A series of field-induced cobalt(ii) SIMs exhibit varying axial zero-field splitting parameter D values from positive to negative with the increased distortion of the octahedral geometry.

[2 + 2] Photochemical modulation of the Dy(iii) single-molecule magnet: opposite influence on the energy barrier and relaxation time

The photochemical [2 + 2] reaction on a mononuclear Dy(iii) single-molecule magnet leads to the higher energy barrier after UV irradiation, along with the shorter magnetic relaxation time that is due to the acceleration of Raman process at low temperatures.

Slow Magnetic Relaxations in Cobalt(II) Tetranitrate Complexes. Studies of Magnetic Anisotropy by Inelastic Neutron Scattering and High-Frequency and High-Field EPR Spectroscopy

Three mononuclear cobalt(II) tetranitrate complexes (A)₂[Co(NO₃)₄] with different countercations, Ph₄P⁺ (1), MePh₃P⁺ (2), and Ph₄As⁺ (3), have been synthesized and studied by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, magnetic measurements, inelastic neutron scattering (INS), high-frequency and high-field EPR (HF-EPR) spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. The X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the structure of the tetranitrate cobalt anion varies with the countercation. 1 and 2 exhibit highly irregular seven-coordinate geometries, while the central Co(II) ion of 3 is in a distorted-dodecahedral configuration. The sole magnetic transition observed in the INS spectroscopy of 1-3 corresponds to the zero-field splitting (2(D² + 3E²)^1/2) from 22.5(2) cm^-1 in 1 to 26.6(3) cm^-1 in 2 and 11.1(5) cm^-1 in 3. The positive sign of the D value, and hence the easy-plane magnetic anisotropy, was demonstrated for 1 by INS studies under magnetic fields and HF-EPR spectroscopy. The combined analyses of INS and HF-EPR data yield the D values as +10.90(3), +12.74(3), and +4.50(3) cm^-1 for 1-3, respectively. Frequency- and temperature-dependent alternating-current magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the slow magnetization relaxation in 1 and 2 at an applied dc field of 600 Oe, which is a characteristic of field-induced single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The electronic structures and the origin of magnetic anisotropy of 1-3 were revealed by calculations at the CASPT2/NEVPT2 level.

The rise of 3-d single-ion magnets in molecular magnetism: towards materials from molecules?

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) that contain one spin centre (so-called single-ion magnets) theoretically represent the smallest possible unit for spin-based electronic devices. The realisation of this and related technologies, depends on first being able to design systems with sufficiently large energy barriers to magnetisation reversal, Ueff, and secondly, on being able to organise these molecules into addressable arrays. In recent years, significant progress has been made towards the former goal - principally as a result of efforts which have been directed towards studying complexes based on highly anisotropic lanthanide ions, such as Tb(iii) and Dy(iii). Since 2013 however, and the remarkable report by Long and co-workers of a linear Fe(i) system exhibiting Ueff = 325 K, single-ion systems of transition metals have undergone something of a renaissance in the literature. Not only do they have important lessons to teach us about anisotropy and relaxation dynamics in the quest to enhance Ueff, the ability to create strongly coupled spin systems potentially offers access to a whole of host of 1, 2 and 3-dimensional materials with interesting structural and physical properties. This perspective summarises recent progress in this rapidly expanding sub-genre of molecular magnetism from the viewpoint of the synthetic chemist, with a particular focus on the lessons that have so far been learned from single-ion magnets of the d-block, and, the future research directions which we feel are likely to emerge in the coming years.

Photo-activation of Single Molecule Magnet Behavior in a Manganese-based Complex

A major roadblock to fully realizing molecular electronic devices is the ability to control the properties of each molecule in the device. Herein we report the control of the magnetic properties of single-molecule magnets (SMMs), which can be used in memory devices, by using a photo-isomerizable diarthylenthene ligand. Photo-isomerization of the diarylethene ligand bridging two manganese salen complexes with visible light caused a significant change in the SMM behavior due to opening of the six-membered ring of diarylethene ligand, accompanied by reorganization of the entire molecule. The ring-opening activated the frequency-dependent magnetization of the complex. Our results are a major step towards the realization of molecular memory devices composed of SMMs because the SMM behaviour can be turned on and off simply by irradiating the molecule.

Single-ion magnet behaviour in mononuclear and two-dimensional dicyanamide-containing cobalt(ii) complexes

The magneto-structural features of one mononuclear and two layered Co(ii) complexes being new examples of Single-Ion Magnets (SIMs) are reported.

Cyanide Single-Molecule Magnets Exhibiting Solvent Dependent Reversible "On" and "Off" Exchange Bias Behavior

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of four new complex salts, (PPN){[Mn(III)(salphen)(MeOH)]2[M(III)(CN)6]}·7MeOH (Mn2M·7MeOH) (M = Fe, Ru, Os and Co; PPN(+) = bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium cation; H2salphen = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-diaminobenzene), and a mixed metal Co/Os analogue (PPN){[Mn(III)(salphen)(MeOH)]2[Co(III)0.92Os(III)0.08(CN)6]}·7MeOH were undertaken. It was found that all compounds exhibit switchable single-molecule magnet (SMM) and exchange-bias behavior depending on the interstitial methanol content. The pristine (PPN){[Mn(salphen)(MeOH)]2[Os(CN)6]}·7MeOH (Mn2Os·7MeOH) behaves as an SMM with an effective barrier for the magnetization reversal, (Ueff/kB), of 17.1 K. Upon desolvation, Mn2Os exhibits an increase of Ueff/kB to 42.0 K and an opening of the hysteresis loop observable at 1.8 K. Mn2Os·7MeOH shows also exchange-bias behavior with magnetic hysteresis loops exhibiting a shift in the quantum tunneling to 0.25 T from zero-field. The Fe(III) and Ru(III) analogues were prepared as reference compounds for assessing the effect of the 5d versus 4d and 3d metal ions on the SMM properties. These compounds are also SMMs and exhibit similar effects but with lower energy barriers. These findings underscore the importance of introducing heavy transition elements into SMMs to improve their slow relaxation of the magnetization properties. The (PPN){[Mn(III)(salphen)(MeOH)]2[Co(III)(CN)6]}·7MeOH (Mn2Co·7MeOH) analogue with a diamagnetic Co(III) central atom and the mixed Co/Os (PPN){[Mn(III)(salphen)(MeOH)]2[Co(III)0.92Os(III)0.08(CN)6]}·7MeOH (Mn2Co/Os·7MeOH) "magnetically diluted" system with a 9:1 Co/Os metal ratio were prepared in order to further probe the nature of the energy barrier increase upon desolvation of Mn2Os. In addition, inelastic neutron scattering and frequency-domain Fourier-transform THz electron paramagnetic resonance spectra obtained on Mn2Os·7MeOH and Mn2Os in combination with the magnetic data revealed the presence of anisotropic exchange interactions between Mn(III) and Os(III) ions.

Field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization in a pentacoordinate Co(II) compound [Co(phen)(DMSO)Cl2]

The static and dynamic magnetic properties of a pentacoordinate [Co(phen)(DMSO)Cl2] compound (phen = 1,10'-phenanthroline, DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) were thoroughly studied by experimental (SQUID magnetometry and HF-EPR spectroscopy) and theoretical methods (DFT and CASSCF calculations). It has been found from temperature/field-dependent magnetization measurements that the studied compound possesses a large and negative magnetic anisotropy (D = -17(1) cm(-1)) with large rhombicity (E/D = 0.24(5)), and these experimental results are in agreement with ab initio calculations (D = -17.7 cm(-1), E/D = 0.31). Interdoublet resonances were not observed in the HF-EPR measurements, but the large rhombicity was confirmed (DEPR = -17.7 cm(-1) (fixed from CASSCF calculations), E/DEPR = 0.33). A frequency dependent out-of-phase susceptibility signal was observed only in a non-zero static magnetic field (B = 0.1 T) and the following parameters of slow-relaxation of magnetisation were derived from the experimental data: either the energy of spin reversal barrier, Ueff = 10.4 K, and the relaxation time, τ0 = 5.69 × 10(-9) s using the Debye model, or Ueff = 21.4-40.3 K and τ0 = 0.248-58.3 × 10(-9) based on a simplified model.

Enforcing Multifunctionality: A Pressure-Induced Spin-Crossover Photomagnet

Photomagnetic compounds are usually achieved by assembling preorganized individual molecules into rationally designed molecular architectures via the bottom-up approach. Here we show that a magnetic response to light can also be enforced in a nonphotomagnetic compound by applying mechanical stress. The nonphotomagnetic cyano-bridged Fe(II)-Nb(IV) coordination polymer {[Fe(II)(pyrazole)4]2[Nb(IV)(CN)8]·4H2O}n (FeNb) has been subjected to high-pressure structural, magnetic and photomagnetic studies at low temperature, which revealed a wide spectrum of pressure-related functionalities including the light-induced magnetization. The multifunctionality of FeNb is compared with a simple structural and magnetic pressure response of its analog {[Mn(II)(pyrazole)4]2[Nb(IV)(CN)8]·4H2O}n (MnNb). The FeNb coordination polymer is the first pressure-induced spin-crossover photomagnet.

3d single-ion magnets

One of the determining factors in whether single-molecule magnets (SMMs) may be used as the smallest component of data storage, is the size of the barrier to reversal of the magnetisation, Ueff. This physical quantity depends on the magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy of a complex and the size of its spin ground state. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on maximising the anisotropy generated for a single 3d transition metal (TM) ion, by an appropriate ligand field, as a means of achieving higher barriers. Because the magnetic properties of these compounds arise from a single ion in a ligand field, they are often referred to as single-ion magnets (SIMs). Here, the synthetic chemist has a significant role to play, both in the design of ligands to enforce propitious splitting of the 3d orbitals and in the judicious choice of TM ion. Since the publication of the first 3d-based SIM, which was based on Fe(ii), many other contributions have been made to this field, using different first row TM ions, and exploring varied coordination environments for the paramagnetic ions.

Thermal and optical control of electronic states in a single layer of switchable paramagnetic molecules

The control of the charge distribution in a monolayer of switchable cobalt-dioxolene complexes undergoing Valence Tautomerism (VT) has been achieved by means of thermal and optical stimuli. Thiol-derivatised VT molecules have been grafted on polycrystalline gold surface as monolayers from solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ions mass spectrometry evidenced the formation of a covalent bond between intact VT molecules and the surface and excluded the presence of physisorbed molecules. X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed that the temperature- and light-induced conversion profiles of the monolayer closely reproduce the ones found for the crystalline phase. This study demonstrates that a wet chemistry based approach allows to transfer switchable paramagnetic molecules at the nanoscale, widening the playground to develop new hybrid molecular based architectures for novel technologies.

Structural phase transition in a multi-induced mononuclear FeII spin-crossover complex

One mononuclear Fe^II complex displays a structural phase transition and a multi-induced spin-crossover behavior mediated by heat, light, pressure and solvent.

Remote control of SMM behaviour via DTE ligands

Herein the use of DTE ligands to remotely control the magnetic properties of single-molecule magnets is discussed.

Multifunctionality in molecular magnetism

Molecular magnetism draws from the fundamental ideas of structural chemistry and combines them with experimental physics resulting in one of the highest profile current topics, namely molecular materials that exhibit multifunctionality. Recent advances in the design of new generations of multifunctional molecular magnets that retain the functions of the building blocks and exhibit non-trivial magnetic properties at higher temperatures provide promising evidence that they may be useful for the future construction of nanoscale devices. This article is not a complete review but is rather an introduction into thefascinating world of multifunctional solids with magnetism as the leitmotif. We provide a subjective selection and discussion of the most inspiring examples of multifunctional molecular magnets: magnetic sponges, guest-responsive magnets, molecular magnets with ionic conductivity, photomagnets and non-centrosymmetric and chiral magnets.

Multifunctional mononuclear bisthienylethene-cobalt(ii) complexes: structures, slow magnetic relaxation and photochromic behavior

Based on bisthienylethene ligands BrLH and PLH, multifunctional mononuclear complexes Co(BrL)₂·3CH₃OH (1) and Co(PL)₂·2CH₃OH (2) were synthesized, and they exhibited field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior and photochromic properties in CH₂Cl₂–CH₃CN solution.

Large and negative magnetic anisotropy in pentacoordinate mononuclear Ni(ii) Schiff base complexes

Pentacoordinate Ni(ii) complexes with pentadentate Schiff base ligands possess large and negative values of axial magnetic anisotropy. The relationship between the shape of the coordination polyhedron and uniaxial anisotropy is outlined.

Slow magnetic relaxation in mononuclear seven-coordinate cobalt(ii) complexes with easy plane anisotropy

Two mononuclear pentagonal bipyramid cobalt(ii) complexes with positive zero-field splitting D values were demonstrated to exhibit field-induced slow relaxation behaviour.

Photo-control of the magnetic properties of Dy(iii) and Ho(iii) homometal coordination polymers bridged by a diarylethene ligand

Two-dimensional Dy(iii) and Ho(iii) homometal coordination polymers containing the DTE ligand were obtained, and the magnetic properties of the open and closed forms were investigated.

Field-induced slow relaxation in a monometallic manganese(III) single-molecule magnet

High-field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that the structurally distorted Mn(III) ion in Na5[Mn(L-tart)2]·12H2O (1; L-tart = L-tartrate) has a significant negative axial zero-field splitting and a small rhombic anisotropy (∼1% of D). Alternating-current magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrate that 1, which contains isolated Mn(III) centers, displays slow relaxation of its magnetization under an applied direct-current magnetic field.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a mononuclear eight-coordinate cobalt(II) complex

The quest for the single-molecular magnets (SMMs) based on mononuclear transition-metal complexes is focused on the low-coordinate species. No transition-metal complex with a coordination number of eight has been shown to exhibit SMM properties. Here the magnetic studies have been carried out for a mononuclear, eight-coordinate cobalt(II)-12-crown-4 (12C4) complex [Co(II)(12C4)2](I3)2(12C4) (1) with a large axial zero-field splitting. Magnetic measurements show field-induced, slow magnetic relaxation under an applied field of 500 Oe at low temperature. The magnetic relaxation time τ was fitted by the Arrhenius model to afford an energy barrier of Ueff = 17.0 cm(-1) and a preexponential factor of τ0 = 1.5 × 10(-6) s. The work here presents the first example of the eight-coordinate, mononuclear, 3d metal complex exhibiting the slow magnetic relaxation.