Strongest Exchange Coupling in Gadolinium(III) and Nitroxide Coordination Compounds

Lanthanide-radical single-molecule magnets: current status and future challenges

In the field of molecular magnetism, the lanthanide-radical (Ln-Rad) method has become one of the most appealing tactics for introducing strong magnetic interactions and has spurred on the booming development of heterospin single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The article is a timely retrospect on the research progress of Ln-Rad heterospin systems and special attention is invested on low dimensional Ln-Rad compounds with SMM behavior, primarily concerning with nitrogen-based radicals, semiquinone and nitroxide radicals. Rational design, molecular structures, magnetic behaviors and magneto-structural correlations are highlighted. Meanwhile, particular attention is focused on the influence of exchange couplings on the dynamic magnetic properties, with the purpose of helping to guide the design of prospective radical-based Ln-SMMs.

Ferromagnetic 2p-2p and 4f-2p Couplings in a Macrocycle from Two Biradicals and Two Gadolinium(III) Ions

A new ground triplet biradical 2′,4′,6′-triisopropylbiphenyl-3,5-diyl bis(tert-butyl nitroxide) (iPr3BPBN) was prepared and characterized by means of room-temperature ESR spectroscopy displaying a zero-field splitting pattern together with a half-field signal. Complex formation with gadolinium(III) 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionate (hfac) afforded a macrocycle [{Gd(hfac)3(μ-iPr3BPBN)}2]. As the X-ray crystallographic analysis clarified, the biradical serves as a bridging ligand, giving a 16-membered ring, where each nitroxide radical oxygen atom is directly bonded to a Gd3+ ion. The magnetic study revealed that the iPr3BPBN bridge behaved as a practically triplet biradical and that the Gd3+-radical magnetic coupling was weakly ferromagnetic. The exchange parameters were estimated as 2jrad-rad/kB > 300 K and 2JGd-rad/kB = 1.2 K in the H = −2J S1•S2 convention. The DFT calculation based on the atomic coordinates clarified the ground triplet nature in metal-free iPr3BPBN and the enhanced triplet character upon coordination. The calculation also suggests that ferromagnetic coupling would be favorable when the Gd-O-N-C(sp2) torsion comes around 100°. The present results are compatible with the proposed magneto-structure relationship on the nitroxide-Gd compounds.

High-Frequency EPR Studies of New 2p-3d Complexes Based on a Triazolyl-Substituted Nitronyl Nitroxide Radical: The Role of Exchange Anisotropy in a Cu-Radical System

Using the 1-(m-tolyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) (TlTrzNIT) radical and metal β-diketonate complexes [M(hfac)₂(H₂O)₂], where hfac is hexafluoroacetylacetonato, three new 2p-3d heterospin complexes were synthesized. Their structures were solved using single crystal X-ray diffraction data, and magnetic investigation was performed by DC and AC measurements and multifrequency EPR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural complexes with molecular formula [M₃(TlTrzNIT)₂(hfac)₆] (M^II = Mn or Cu) while compound 3 is the mononuclear [Co(TlTrzNIT)(hfac)₂] complex. In all complexes, the radical acts as a bidentate ligand through the oxygen atom of the nitroxide moiety and the nitrogen atom from the triazole group. Furthermore, in compounds 1 and 2, the TlTrzNIT is bridge-coordinated between two metal centers, leading to the formation of trinuclear complexes. The fitting of the static magnetic behavior reveals antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic intramolecular interactions for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. The EPR spectra of 1 are well described by an isolated ferrimagnetic S = ¹³/₂ (= ⁵/₂ - ¹/₂ + ⁵/₂ - ¹/₂ + ⁵/₂) ground state with a biaxial zero-field splitting (ZFS) interaction characterized, respectively, by 2nd order axial and rhombic parameters, D and E, such that E/D is close to the maximum of 0.33. Meanwhile, EPR spectra for 2 are explained in terms of a ferromagnetic model with weakly anisotropic Cu-radical exchange interactions, giving rise to an isolated S = ⁵/₂ (= 5 × ¹/₂) ground state with both an anisotropic g tensor and a weak ZFS interaction. Complex 2 represents one of only a few examples of Cu-radical moieties with measurable exchange anisotropy.

Rare-Earth (RE = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) Chains Bridged with a Triplet Biradical and Magnetic Hysteresis Recorded for RE = Tb

Complex formation of 5-tert-butyl-1,3-phenylene bis(tert-butyl nitroxide) and rare-earth (RE) metal ions gave a linear chain where each nitroxide O atom is directly bonded to the RE ion. The bridge was proven to be a ground triplet molecule in the complexes. A hysteresis loop was recorded below 2.8 K as a single-chain magnet for the RE = Tb derivative.

Modulation of slow magnetic relaxation in Gd(III)‐tetrahalosemiquinonate complexes

Incorporating lanthanoid(III)‐radical magnetic exchange coupling is a possible route to improving the performance of lanthanoid (Ln) single‐molecule magnets (SMMs), molecular materials that exhibit slow relaxation and low temperature quantum tunnelling of the magnetization. Complexes of Gd(III) can conveniently be used as model systems to study the Ln‐radical exchange coupling, thanks to the absence of the orbital angular momentum that is present for many Ln(III) ions. Two new Gd(III)‐radical compounds of formula [Gd(18‐c‐6)X₄SQ(NO₃)].I₃ (18‐c‐6=18‐crown‐6, X₄SQ⋅⁻=tetrahalo‐1,2‐semiquinonate, 1: X=Cl, 2: X=Br) have been synthesized, and the presence of the dioxolene ligand in its semiquinonate form confirmed by X‐ray crystallography, UV‐Visible‐NIR spectroscopy and voltammetry. Static magnetometry and EPR spectroscopy indicate differences in the low temperature magnetic properties of the two compounds, with antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of J_Gd‐SQ∼−2.0 cm⁻¹ (H_ex=−2J_Gd‐SQ(S_GdS_SQ)) determined by data fitting. Interestingly, compound 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation in applied magnetic fields while 2 relaxes much faster, pointing to the major role of packing effects in modulating slow relaxation of the magnetization.

A Molecule Having 13 Unpaired Electrons: Magnetic Property of a Gadolinium(III) Complex Coordinated with Six Nitronyl Nitroxide Radicals

A gadolinium(III) complex coordinated with six nitronyl nitroxide radicals showed intriguing temperature-dependent changes in magnetic susceptibilities. The gadolinium(III) ion in the complex is pseudo-eight-coordinated by three singlet-ground-state diradical anion species based on nitronyl nitroxide radicals. The magnetic susceptibility (χ_pT) of the gadolinium(III) complex at 298 K, whose value corresponded to that of a system with 13 unpaired electrons (seven-spin system), decreased upon a lowering of the temperature to 11 K but increased upon a further lowering of the temperature. Finally, the χ_pT value at 2 K was found to be higher than that at room temperature. The temperature-dependent magnetic behavior could be explained by a structural change in the diradical anion ligand due to its flexibility.

Regulating Spin Dynamics of Nitronyl Nitroxide Biradical Lanthanide Complexes through Introducing Different Transition Metals

Four biradical-Ln complexes with different transition metal ions, namely [LnM(hfac)₅ (NITPh-PyPzbis)] (M^II =Mn^II and Ln^III =Gd 1, Dy 2; M^II =Ni^II and Ln^III =Tb 3, Dy 4), were prepared by the reaction of Ln(hfac)₃  ⋅ 2H₂ O, Mn(hfac)₂  ⋅ 2H₂ O or Ni(hfac)₂  ⋅ 2H₂ O with NITPh-PyPzbis biradical (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate, NITPh-PyPzbis=5-(3-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3-bis(1'-oxyl-3'-oxido- 4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl-4,5-hydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzene). In complexes 1-4, the NITPh-PyPzbis biradical chelates one Ln^III ion by means of its aminoxyl moieties and the transition metal ion is introduced through the two N donors from the pyridyl pyrazolyl moiety. Magnetic investigations indicate that complex 4 displays visible maxima in frequency/temperature-dependent χ'' signals with two-step relaxation processes, but complex 2 exhibits no slow magnetization relaxation. The comparison of structure parameters of both Dy complexes indicates that the symmetries of coordination spheres of two Dy ions are D_2d for 2 and C_2v for 4, which thus probably results in different magnetic relaxation behaviors. This work provides new insight for improving properties of Ln-biradical based SMMs.

Molecular S = 2 High-Spin, S = 0 Low-Spin and S = 0 ⇄ 2 Spin-Transition/-Crossover Nickel(II)-Bis(nitroxide) Coordination Compounds

Heterospin systems have a great advantage in frontier orbital engineering since they utilize a wide diversity of paramagnetic chromophores and almost infinite combinations and mutual geometries. Strong exchange couplings are expected in 3d–2p heterospin compounds, where the nitroxide (aminoxyl) oxygen atom has a direct coordination bond with a nickel(II) ion. Complex formation of nickel(II) salts and tert-butyl 2-pyridyl nitroxides afforded a discrete 2p–3d–2p triad. Ferromagnetic coupling is favored when the magnetic orbitals, nickel(II) dσ and radical π*, are arranged in a strictly orthogonal fashion, namely, a planar coordination structure is characterized. In contrast, a severe twist around the coordination bond gives an orbital overlap, resulting in antiferromagnetic coupling. Non-chelatable nitroxide ligands are available for highly twisted and practically diamagnetic complexes. Here, the Ni–O–N–Csp2 torsion (dihedral) angle is supposed to be a useful metric to describe the nickel ion dislocated out of the radical π* nodal plane. Spin-transition complexes exhibited a planar coordination structure in a high-temperature phase and a nonplanar structure in a low-temperature phase. The gradual spin transition is described as a spin equilibrium obeying the van’t Hoff law. Density functional theory calculation indicates that the energy level crossing of the high- and low-spin states. The optimized structures of diamagnetic and high-spin states well agreed with the experimental large and small torsions, respectively. The novel mechanism of the present spin transition lies in the ferro-/antiferromagnetic coupling switch. The entropy-driven mechanism is plausible after combining the results of the related copper(II)-nitroxide compounds. Attention must be paid to the coupling parameter J as a variable of temperature in the magnetic analysis of such spin-transition materials. For future work, the exchange coupling may be tuned by chemical modification and external stimulus, because it has been clarified that the parameter is sensitive to the coordination structure and actually varies from 2J/kB = +400 K to −1400 K.

Strong Antiferromagnetic Interaction in a Gadolinium(III) Complex with Methoxy-TEMPO Radical: A Relation between the Coupling and the Gd-O-N Angle

A new compound [Gd(hfac)₃(MeOTEMPO)(MeOH)] (MeOTEMPO = 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl) was prepared. From the X-ray crystal structure analysis, the Gd-O-N angle is 170.9(3)°. The magnetic study clarified the Gd³⁺-radical interaction with 2J/k_B = -26.6(3) K (in the H = -2JS₁·S₂ convention), which corresponds to one of the strongest antiferromagnetic couplings in the Gd-nitroxide systems. Wider Gd-O-N angles seem to favor stronger antiferromagnetic couplings.

Enhancing Magnetic Communication between Metal Centres: The Role of s-Tetrazine Based Radicals as Ligands

Although 1,2,4,5-tetrazines or s-tetrazines have been known in the literature for more than a century, their coordination chemistry has become increasingly popular in recent years due to their unique redox activity, multiple binding sites and their various applications. The electron-poor character of the ring and stabilization of the radical anion through all four nitrogen atoms in their metal complexes provide new aspects in molecular magnetism towards the synthesis of new high performing Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs). The scope of this review is to examine the role of s-tetrazine radical ligands in transition metal and lanthanide based SMMs and provide a critical overview of the progress thus far in this field. As well, general synthetic routes and new insights for the preparation of s-tetrazines are discussed, along with their redox activity and applications in various fields. Concluding remarks along with the limitations and perspectives of these ligands are discussed.

Lanthanide Complexes with a Tripodal Nitroxyl Radical Showing Strong Magnetic Coupling

A series of isomorphous mononuclear complexes of Ln(III) ions comprising one stable tripodal oxazolidine nitroxyl radical were obtained in acetonitrile media starting from nitrates. The compounds, [LnRad(NO₃)₃] (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Tm, Y; Rad = 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3-oxazolidine-3-oxyl), have a molecular structure. Their coordination polyhedron, LnO₇N₂, can be described as a tricapped trigonal prism with symmetry not far from D_3h. The extracted value of 23 cm^-1 for the antiferromagnetic coupling of Gd-Rad established from the DC magnetic and EPR data is a record strength for the complexes of 4f elements with nitroxyl radicals. The terbium derivative displays frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in zero field, indicating single-molecule magnetic behavior. With an applied field of 0.1 T, an effective barrier of 57 cm^-1 is found.

A Hidden Coordination-Bond Torsional Deformation as a Sign of Possible Spin Transition in Nickel(II)-Bis(nitroxide) Compounds

Complex formation of nickel(II) tetrafluoroborate and tert-butyl 5-phenyl-2-pyridyl nitroxide (phpyNO) in the presence of sodium cyanate gave a discrete molecule [Ni(phpyNO)2(X)2] (X = NCO). The Ni-O-N-Csp2 torsion angles were reduced on heating; 33.5(5)° and 36.2(4)° at 100 K vs. 25.7(10)° and 32.3(11)° at 400 K. The magnetic behavior was almost diamagnetic below ca. 100 K, and the χmT value reached 1.04 cm3 K mol-1 at 400 K. An analysis using the van't Hoff equation indicates a possible spin transition at T1/2 >> 400 K. Density functional theory calculation shows that the singlet-quintet energy gap decreases as the structural change from 100 to 400 K. The geometry optimization results suggest that the diamagnetic state has the Ni-O-N-Csp2 torsion angles of 32.7° while the Stotal = 2 state has those of 11.9°. The latter could not be experimentally observed even at 400 K. After overviewing the results on the known X = Br, Cl, and NCS derivatives, the magnetic behavior is described in a common phase diagram. The Br and Cl compounds undergo the energy level crossing of the high-/low-spin states, but the NCS and NCO compounds do not in a conventional experimental temperature range. The spin transition mechanism in this series involves the exchange coupling switch between ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions, corresponding to the high- and low-spin phases, respectively.

Designing Multicoordinating Nitronyl Nitroxide Radical Toward Multinuclear Lanthanide Aggregates

Profiting from a multicoordinating nitronyl nitroxide radical, i.e. a functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical ligand, a family of novel tetranuclear lanthanide complexes, formulated as [RE₄(hfac)₁₂(NITPhO-3Pybis)₂] (RE = Gd 1, Tb 2, Dy 3, Ho 4, and Y 5; NITPhO-3Pybis = 5-(3-pyridinyloxy)-1,3-bis(1'-oxyl-3'-oxido-4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl-4,5-hydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzene; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) were successfully constructed and characterized. In these complexes, the designed functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical ligand functions as the chelating and/or bridging ligand to bind the lanthanide ions, resulting in tetranuclear octa-spin lanthanide complexes with a circle-shaped arrangement. Direct-current magnetic data show that antiferromagnetic interaction dominates in the Gd derivative, while ferromagnetic coupling plays a leading role in complex Y, in which the relevant magnetic exchange parameters were obtained through applicable magnetic models. Dynamic magnetic studies of Tb and Dy analogues exhibit apparent frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals, which are typical features for slow magnetic relaxation behavior. The values of U_eff and τ₀ were obtained as follows: U_eff = 10.5 K and τ₀ = 6.6 × 10^-7 s for the Tb complex and U_eff = 5.2 K and τ₀ = 2.5 × 10^-6 s for the Dy compound. Intriguingly, the butterfly shaped hysteresis loop is found for the Tb analogue. Guided by fluorescence spectra, the representative peaks are identified for the Tb derivative.

Slow relaxation of magnetization for a Tb derivative in a biradical-based lanthanide chain

Four novel lanthanide-biradical chains have been obtained and the Tb derivative reveals field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior with an anisotropy barrier Δ/k_B = 22.08 K.

Slow magnetic relaxation in CoII–LnIII heterodinuclear complexes achieved through a functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical

Five nitronyl nitroxide biradical-Co^II–Ln^III heterodinuclear complexes were achieved and the DyCo derivative displayed visible temperature/frequency-dependent χ′′ peaks, indicating the SMM behavior.

High-Spin and Incomplete Spin-Crossover Polymorphs in Doubly Chelated [Ni(L)2Br2] (L = tert-Butyl 5-Phenyl-2-pyridyl Nitroxide)

Complexation of nickel(II) bromide with tert-butyl 5-phenyl-2-pyridyl nitroxide (phpyNO) gave two morphs of doubly chelated [Ni(phpyNO)₂Br₂] as a 2p-3d-2p heterospin triad. The α phase crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn. An asymmetric unit involves a half-molecule. The torsion angle around Ni-O-N-C_2py is as small as 6.5(3)° at 100 K and 7.0(6)° at 400 K, guaranteeing an orthogonal arrangement between the magnetic radical π* and metal 3d_x²-y² and 3d_z² orbitals. Magnetic study revealed the high-spin ground state with the exchange coupling constant 2J/k_B = +288(5) K, on the basis of a symmetrical spin Hamiltonian. The β phase crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The whole molecule is an independent unit. The Ni-O-N-C_2py torsion angles are 24.2(6) and 37.2(5)° at 100 K and 10.4(7) and 25.9(6)° at 400 K. A magnetic study revealed a very gradual and nonhysteretic spin transition. An analysis based on the van't Hoff equation gave a successful fit with the spin-crossover temperature of 134(1) K, although the susceptibility did not reach the theoretical high-spin value at 400 K. Density functional theory calculation on the β phase showed ground S_total = 0 in the low-temperature structure while S_total = 2 in the high-temperature structure, supporting the synchronized exchange coupling switch on both sides. Consequently, the β phase can be recognized as an "incomplete spin crossover" material, as a result of conflicting thermal depopulation effects in a high-temperature region.

Giant coercivity and high magnetic blocking temperatures for N23- radical-bridged dilanthanide complexes upon ligand dissociation

Increasing the operating temperatures of single-molecule magnets—molecules that can retain magnetic polarization in the absence of an applied field—has potential implications toward information storage and computing, and may also inform the development of new bulk magnets. Progress toward these goals relies upon the development of synthetic chemistry enabling enhancement of the thermal barrier to reversal of the magnetic moment, while suppressing alternative relaxation processes. Herein, we show that pairing the axial magnetic anisotropy enforced by tetramethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp^Me4H) capping ligands with strong magnetic exchange coupling provided by an N₂³⁻ radical bridging ligand results in a series of dilanthanide complexes exhibiting exceptionally large magnetic hysteresis loops that persist to high temperatures. Significantly, reducing the coordination number of the metal centers appears to increase axial magnetic anisotropy, giving rise to larger magnetic relaxation barriers and 100-s magnetic blocking temperatures of up to 20 K, as observed for the complex [K(crypt-222)][(Cp^Me4H₂Tb)₂(μ−\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\rm{N}}_2^ \cdot$$\end{document}N2⋅)].

Single-molecule magnets typically only retain information in the presence of an applied magnetic field and at very low temperatures. Here, Demir, Long and co-workers design N₂^3– radical-bridged dilanthanide complexes that exhibit giant coercivities and 100-s magnetic blocking temperatures of up to 20 K.

Giant Exchange Coupling Evidenced with a Magnetization Jump at 52 T for a Gadolinium-Nitroxide Chelate

The Gd-radical complex [Gd^III(hfac)₃(6bpyNO)] (6bpyNO = 2,2'-bipyridin-6-yl tert-butyl nitroxide; Hhfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) showed a magnetization jump at 52 T observed in a pulsed-field facility, corresponding to an exchange coupling constant of -17.4 K. Furthermore, hysteretic behavior due to a relatively slow magnetization reversal was recorded around 2 T. From the high-frequency EPR study, the exchange coupling between Gd and radical spins accompanies an anisotropic character, which is responsible for both the broad jump and the slow magnetization reversal.

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of cyclic dimer Ln2L2 complexes constructed from (3-pyridinylmethoxy)phenyl-substituted nitronyl nitroxide ligands

Herein, five lanthanide-radical cyclic dimer complexes have been obtained and complex Tb shows the relaxation behavior in zero dc field with an anisotropy barrier Δ/k_B = 21.6 K.

Functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical bridged one-dimensional lanthanide chains: slow magnetic relaxation in the Tb and Dy analogues

The first examples of Ln-nitronyl nitroxide 1D chains based on the functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical have been obtained, and complexes Dy and Tb exhibit slow magnetic relaxation behavior.

Modulating spin dynamics of binuclear LnIII–radical complexes by using different indazole radicals

Four Ln^III–indazole–radical complexes have been synthesized. By changing the location of the radical in the indazole ring, they exhibit interesting magnetic properties.

LnIII–CoII heterometallic chains based on pyridine substituted nitronyl nitroxides

Unprecedented nitronyl nitroxide bridged Ln^III–Co^II compounds have been obtained. Different magnetic relaxation behaviors were observed for two Dy complexes.

Thermal Magnetic Hysteresis in a Copper-Gadolinium-Radical Chain Compound

Magnetic bistability spanning over a temperature domain of 40 K can result from a small structural deformation of the gadolinium aminoxyl coordination. This is illustrated for a nitronyl nitroxide 3d-4f chain, [Ln(hfac)3Cu(hfac)2(NIT-Pyrim)2] (Ln(III) = Gd, Dy), which is the first example of a bistable lanthanide-based complex.

A designed room-temperature triplet ligand from pyridine-2,6-diyl bis(tert-butyl nitroxide)

The magnetic study on newly developed 4-mesitylpyridine-2,6-diyl bis(tert-butyl nitroxide) shows that almost the whole population has a ground triplet state at room temperature, and the ability of complex formation as a tridentate triplet ligand was proven with a diamagnetic yttrium(iii) ion.

Unusual Gd-nitronyl nitroxide antiferromagnetic coupling and slow magnetic relaxation in the corresponding Tb analogue

The lanthanide-radical approach has been applied to construct three isomorphous mononuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln(hfac)3(NIT2-PyOCH3)] (Ln(III) = Gd , Tb , Er ) in which the nitronyl nitroxide radical NIT2-PyOCH3 (NIT2-PyOCH3 = 2-(3'-methoxy-2'-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) acts as a tridentate chelating ligand via the pyridyl nitrogen atom, the oxygen atom from the NO group and the oxygen atom from the methoxy group. The central lanthanide ions are nine-coordinated and their coordination geometry can be considered as an intermediate between muffin and spherical capped square antiprisms. Interestingly, an unusual antiferromagnetic interaction was observed between the Gd(iii) and the coordinated nitronyl nitroxide radical in complex . Moreover, ac magnetic susceptibilities display frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in the case of the anisotropic Tb complex, indicating magnetic relaxation behavior.

Single-molecule magnet involving strong exchange coupling in terbium(iii) complex with 2,2′-bipyridin-6-yl tert-butyl nitroxide

Intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction in Tb-6bpyNO was confirmed by comparison with the magnetic properties of Tb-6bpyCO and Y-6bpyNO. Tb-6bpyNO showed a hysteresis loop below 1.6 K, but Tb-6bpyCO did not behave as a single-molecule magnet.