Unravelling the Highest Magnetic Anisotropy Among all the n-Shells in 20 Metallocene

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with a large magnetization reversal barrier are predominated by the lanthanide systems due to their strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC). However, the transition metals have also emerged as potential contenders and the largest magnetic anisotropy has been identified for a cobalt system among any d-series-based SMMs (Bunting et al. Science 2018, 362, eaat7319). In this work, we have explored the magnetic anisotropy in highly axial ligand field systems of metallocene, having different d-subshell (3d4, 4d4, and 5d4). The wave function-based multireference methods including static and dynamic electron correlations have been employed to investigate the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters. Here, we report exceptionally large magnetic anisotropy for a 5d complex of [WCp2]0 with the highest energy barrier that is nearly twice as high as the previous record value for the Co complex. We have also observed that the axial ZFS parameter (D) is increasing down the group in the order of 3d < 4d < 5d, pertaining to a large SOC.

Field induced single ion magnet behavior in CoII complexes in a distorted square pyramidal geometry

We report three CoII-based complexes with the general formula [CoII(L)(X)2] by changing the halide/pseudo-halide ions [X = NCSe (1SeCN); Cl (2Cl) and Br (3Br)]. The obtained τ5 and CShM values confirm a distorted square pyramidal geometry around the CoII ion in all these complexes. In these three complexes, the central CoII ion is situated above the basal plane of the square pyramidal geometry. The extent of distortion from the ideal SPY-5 geometry differs upon changing the coordinating halide/pseudo-halide ion in these complexes. This essentially results in the alteration of the anisotropic parameter D and hence impacts the magnetic properties in these complexes. This phenomenon has been corroborated with the aid of theoretical investigations. All these complexes display field-induced SIM behaviour with magnetic relaxation occurring through a combination of processes depending on the applied dc magnetic field values and dilution.

Recent Progress for Single-Molecule Magnets Based on Rare Earth Elements

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in molecular spintronic devices. Rare earth SMMs are considered to be the most promising for application owing to their large magnetic moment and strong magnetic anisotropy. In this review, the recent progress in rare earth SMMs represented by mononuclear and dinuclear complexes is highlighted, especially for the modulation of magnetic anisotropy, effective energy barrier (U_eff) and blocking temperature (T_B). The terbium- and dysprosium-based SMMs have a U_eff of 1541 cm^-1 and an increased T_B of 80 K. They break the boiling point temperature of liquid nitrogen. The development of the preparation technology of rare earth element SMMs is also summarized in an overview. This review has important implications and insights for the design and research of Ln-SMMs.

Strategies to quench quantum tunneling of magnetization in lanthanide single molecule magnets

Enhancing blocking temperature (T_B) is one of the holy grails in Single Molecule Magnets(SMMs), as any future potential application in this class of molecules is directly correlated to this parameter. Among many factors contributing to a reduction of T_B value, Quantum Tunnelling of Magnetisation (QTM), a phenomenon that is a curse or a blessing based on the application sought after, tops the list. Theoretical tools based on density functional and ab initio CASSCF/RASSI-SO methods have played a prominent role in estimating various spin Hamiltonian parameters and establishing the mechanism of magnetization relaxation in this class of molecules. Particularly, various strategies to quench QTM effects go hand-in-hand with experiments, and different methods proposed to quell QTM effects are scattered in the literature. In this perspective, we have explored various approaches that are proposed in the literature to quench QTM effects, and these include the role of (i) local symmetry of lanthanides, (ii) super-exchange interaction in {3d-4f} complexes, (iii) direct-exchange interaction in {radical-4f} and metal-metal bonded complexes to suppress the QTM, (iv) utilizing external stimuli such as an electric field or pressure to modulate the QTM and (v) avoiding QTM effects by stabilising toroidal states in 4f and {3d-4f} clusters. We believe the strategies summarized here will help to design new-generation SMMs.

Computational design of magnetic molecules and their environment using quantum chemistry, machine learning and multiscale simulations

Having served as a playground for fundamental studies on the physics of d and f electrons for almost a century, magnetic molecules are now becoming increasingly important for technological applications, such as magnetic resonance, data storage, spintronics and quantum information. All of these applications require the preservation and control of spins in time, an ability hampered by the interaction with the environment, namely with other spins, conduction electrons, molecular vibrations and electromagnetic fields. Thus, the design of a novel magnetic molecule with tailored properties is a formidable task, which does not only concern its electronic structures but also calls for a deep understanding of the interaction among all the degrees of freedom at play. This Review describes how state-of-the-art ab initio computational methods, combined with data-driven approaches to materials modelling, can be integrated into a fully multiscale strategy capable of defining design rules for magnetic molecules.

Self-assembly of non-macrocyclic triangular Ni3Ln clusters

The synthesis and structural characterisation of four new heterometallic tetranuclear complexes is reported. Three L₃Ni₃Ln type complexes, where Ln = La (C1), Eu (C2), and Gd (C3), have been fully characterised including DC and AC magnetic measurements. A fourth complex featuring a diamagnetic Ba^II ion at its centre is also reported with structural characterisation. Structural elucidation showed that all four complexes successfully self-assembled from a stoichiometric mixture of the acyclic ligand, 1,4-diformylnaphthalene-2,3-diol, with nickel(II) nitrate and the appropriate heavy metal salt to produce the same near planar Ni₃MO₁₂ core. Ferromagnetic interactions were found to dominate the ground state of C3, exhibiting a maximal spin ground state of 13/2. The exchange coupling is quantitatively discussed along with the nickel(II) zero-field splitting effect. AC magnetic susceptibility experiments were carried out, but no frequency dependent signals were observed and thus no observable slow relaxation of magnetisation.

Are lanthanide-transition metal direct bonds a route to achieving new generation {3d-4f} SMMs?

Lanthanide based single-molecule magnets are gaining wide attention due to their potential applications in emerging technologies. One of the main challenges in this area is quenching quantum tunnelling of magnetisation (QTM), which often undercuts the magnetisation reversal barrier. Among the several strategies employed, enhancing exchange coupling has been studied in detail, with large exchanges resulting in stronger quenching of QTM effects. Lanthanides, however, suffer from weak exchanges offered by the deeply buried 4f orbitals and the numerous attempts to enhance the exchange coupling in the {3d-4f} pairs have not exceeded values larger than 30 cm^-1. In this work, using a combination of DFT and the ab initio CASSCF/RASSI-SO method, we have explored lanthanide-transition metal direct bonds as a tool to quench QTM effects. In this direction, we have modelled [PyCp₂LnMCp(CO)₂] (Ln = Gd(III), Dy(III), and Er(III) and M = V(0), Mn(0), Co(0) and Fe(I) and here PyCp₂ = [2,6-(CH₂C₅H₃)₂C₅H₃N]₂^- using [PyCp₂DyFeCp(CO)₂] as an example as reported by Nippe et al. (C. P. Burns, X. Yang, J. D. Wofford, N. S. Bhuvanesh, M. B. Hall and M. Nippe, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 8144). Bonding analysis reveals a dative Ln-TM bond with a donation of π(V/Mnd_xy-π*CO) to 5d_z² (Gd) in the case of Gd-V and Gd-Mn and 4s(Co) to 5d_xy/5d_yz (Gd) for Gd-Co with the transition metal ion being found in the low-spin S = ½ configurations in all the cases. B3LYP/TZV (Gd;CSDZ) calculations on [PyCp₂GdMCp(CO)₂] yield J_Gd-V = -46.1 cm^-1, J_Gd-Mn = -57.1 cm^-1, J_Gd-Co = +55.3 cm^-1, J_Gd-Fe⁺ = +13.9 cm^-1, J_Gd-Vhs = -162.1 cm^-1 and J_Gd-Mnhs = -343.9 cm^-1 and unveiling record-high J values for {3d-4f} complexes. The mechanism of magnetic coupling is developed, which discloses the dominating presence of strong 3d-4f orbital overlaps in most of the cases studied, leading to antiferromagnetic exchange. When these overlaps are weaker and 3d to Gd(5d_z²), charge transfer dominates, yielding a ferromagnetic coupling for the Gd-Co/Gd-Fe⁺ complexes. Calculations performed on the anisotropic Dy(III) and Er(III) complexes reveal that the ground state g_zz axis lies along the Cp-Ln-Cp axis and the Ln-TM bonds, respectively. Thus the Ln-TM bond hinders the single-ion anisotropy of Dy(III) by offering equatorial ligation and lowering the m_J = ±½ state energy, and at the same time, helping in enhancing the axiality of Er(III). When strong {3d-4f} exchange couplings are introduced, record-high barrier heights as high as 229 cm^-1 were accomplished. Furthermore, the exchange coupling annihilates the QTM effects and suggests the lanthanide-transition metal direct bond as a viable alternative to enhance exchange coupling to bring {3d-4f} complexes back in the race for high-blocking SMMs.

Enhancing the barrier height for magnetization reversal in 4d/4f RuIII2LnIII2 "butterfly" single molecule magnets (Ln = Gd, Dy) via targeted structural alterations

A series of 4d-4f {RuIII2DyIII2} and {RuIII2GdIII2} 'butterfly' (rhombohedral) complexes have been synthesized and characterized and their magnetic properties investigated. Earlier, we have reported the first 4d/4f SMM - [RuIII2DyIII2(OMe)₂(O₂CPh)₄(mdea)₂(NO₃)₂] (1Dy) with a U_eff value of 10.7 cm^-1. As the structural distortion around the Dy^III centres and the Ru^III⋯Dy^III exchange interactions are key to enhancing the anisotropy, in this work we have synthesised three more {Ru₂Dy₂} butterfly complexes where structural alteration around the Dy^III centres and alterations to the bridging groups are performed with an aim to improve the magnetic properties. The new complexes reported here are [Ru₂Dy₂(OMe)₂(O₂C(4-Me-Ph)₄(mdea)₂(MeOH)₄], 2Dy, [Ru₂Dy₂(OMe)₂(O₂C(2-Cl,4,5-F-Ph)₄(mdea)₂(NO₃)₂], 3Dy, and an acac derivative [Ru₂Dy₂(OMe)₂(acac)₄(NO₃)₂(edea)₂], 4Dy, where acac^- = acetylacetonate, edea^2- = N-ethyldiethanolamine dianion. Complex 2Dy describes alteration in the Dy^III centers, while complexes 3Dy and 4Dy are aimed to alter the Ru^III⋯Dy^III exchange pathways. To ascertain the 4d-4f exchange, the Gd-analogues of 1Dy and 4Dy were synthesised [Ru₂Gd₂(OMe)₂(O₂CPh)₄(mdea)₂(NO₃)₂], 1Gd, [Ru₂Gd₂(OMe)₂(acac)₄(NO₃)₂(edea)₂], 4Gd. Both ac and dc susceptibility studies were performed on all these complexes, and out-of-phase signals were observed for 3Dy in zero-field while 2Dy and 4Dy show out-of-phase signals in the presence of an applied field. Complex 3Dy reveals a barrier height U_eff of 45 K. To understand the difference in the magnetic dynamic behavior compared to our earlier reported {RuIII2DyIII2} analogue, detailed theoretical calculations based on ab initio CASSCF/RASSI-SO calculations have been performed. Calculations reveal that the J_Ru⋯Dy value varies from -1.8 cm^-1 (4Dy) to -2.4 cm^-1 (3Dy). These values are also affirmed by DFT calculations performed on the corresponding Gd^III analogues. The origin of the largest barrier and observation of slow magnetic relaxation in 3Dy is routed back to the stronger single-ion anisotropy and stronger J_Ru⋯Dy exchange which quenches the QTM effects more efficiently. This study thus paves the way forward to tune local structure around the Ln^III center and the exchange pathway to enhance the SMM characteristics in other {3d-4f}/{4d-4f} SMMs.

Strong Ferromagnetic Exchange Coupling and Single-Molecule Magnetism in MoS43--Bridged Dilanthanide Complexes

We report the synthesis and characterization of the trinuclear 4d-4f compounds [Co(C₅Me₅)₂][(C₅Me₅)₂Ln(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂Ln(C₅Me₅)₂], 1-Ln (Ln = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy), containing the highly polarizable MoS₄^3- bridging unit. UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectra and DFT calculations of 1-Ln reveal a low-energy metal-to-metal charge transfer transition assigned to charge transfer from the singly occupied 4d_z² orbital of Mo^V to the empty 5d orbitals of the lanthanides (4d in the case of 1-Y), mediated by sulfur-based 3p orbitals. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra collected for 1-Y in a tetrahydrofuran solution show large ⁸⁹Y hyperfine coupling constants of A_⊥ = 23 MHz and A_|| = 26 MHz, indicating the presence of significant yttrium-localized unpaired electron density. Magnetic susceptibility data support similar electron delocalization and ferromagnetic Ln-Mo exchange for 1-Gd, 1-Tb, and 1-Dy. This ferromagnetic exchange gives rise to an S = 15/2 ground state for 1-Gd and one of the largest magnetic exchange constants involving Gd^III observed to date, with J_Gd-Mo = +16.1(2) cm^-1. Additional characterization of 1-Tb and 1-Dy by ac magnetic susceptibility measurements reveals that both compounds exhibit slow magnetic relaxation. Although a Raman magnetic relaxation process is dominant for both 1-Tb and 1-Dy, an extracted thermal relaxation barrier of U_eff = 68 cm^-1 for 1-Dy is the largest yet reported for a complex containing a paramagnetic 4d metal center. Together, these results provide a potentially generalizable route to enhanced nd-4f magnetic exchange, revealing opportunities for the design of new nd-4f single-molecule magnets and bulk magnetic materials.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a homo dinuclear Dy(iii) complex in a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry

We hereby report a dinuclear Dy(iii) complex, [Dy(LH₃)Cl₂]₂·2Et₂O (1) (LH₄ = 2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)-2-(hydroxyimino)propanehydrazide where both the metal centres are in a pentagonal bipyramidal (PBP) geometry with the axial positions being occupied by negatively charged Cl^- ions. The complex as well as it's 10% diluted analogue (1₁₀) do not show zero-field SMM behaviour. However, in the presence of small optimum dc fields the slow relaxation of magnetization was displayed. The effective energy barrier for 1₁₀ at 800 Oe of applied field was extracted as 83(17) K with τ₀ = 2(4) × 10^-12 s. Through a combined experimental and ab initio electronic structure calculations studies we have thoroughly analysed the role of the ligand field around the Dy(iii), present in pentagonal bipyramidal geometry, in contributing to the slow relaxation of magnetization.

Synthesis of a series of hetero-multi-spin Ln2Cu3 complexes based on a methyl-pyrazole nitronyl nitroxide radical with slow magnetic relaxation behaviors

Multinuclear hetero-tri-spin complexes based on a methyl-pyrazole nitronyl nitroxide radical, namely, [Ln2Cu3(hfac)12(4-NIT-MePyz)4] (Ln = Gd(1), Tb(2), Dy(3); hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone; 4-NIT-MePyz = 2-{4-(1-methyl)-pyrazolyl}-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been successfully obtained through a one-pot reaction of the radical ligand (4-NIT-MePyz) with Cu(hfac)2 and Ln(hfac)3. These 2p-3d-4f complexes exhibit five-nuclear structures with the sequence [Cu-Rad-Ln-Rad-Cu-Rad-Ln-Rad-Cu], in which each 4-NIT-MePyz radical acting as a bidentate bridging ligand is coordinated to one Ln(hfac)3 unit through one oxygen atom of the NO groups and to one Cu(hfac)2 unit with one nitrogen atom from the pyrazole ring. For complex 1, based on the spin Hamiltonian calculations and MAGPACK program, it is concluded that there exist ferromagnetic couplings between GdIII and NIT radicals, as well as between CuII and free radicals with J1 = 6.8(1) and J3 = 1.3(2) cm-1, respectively, and antiferromagnetic interactions between radical and radical with J2 = -2.8(5) cm-1. Complex 2 shows frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals under a zero or 2000 Oe dc field indicating single-molecule magnetic behavior.

Exchange Interactions Switch Tunneling: A Comparative Experimental and Theoretical Study on Relaxation Dynamics by Targeted Metal Ion Replacement

The magnetic relaxation and magnetization blocking barriers of tailor-made homo- and heterodinuclear compounds [Dy₂ (opch)₂ (OAc)₂ (H₂ O)₂ ]⋅MeOH (1) and [DyMn(opch)₂ (OAc)(MeOH)(H₂ O)₂ ] (2), where H₂ opch is (E)-N'-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide, were systematically investigated and the change in single-molecule magnet behavior originating from targeted replacement of one dysprosium site in the Dy₂ compound with manganese was elucidated through a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. A detailed comparative study on these closely related model compounds revealed remarkable changes of the crystal-field splitting and anisotropy of the Dy site and the total exchange spectrum due to the replacement of Dy by Mn. The blocking barriers of these two compounds, which explain their different relaxation behaviors, were analyzed. The two Ising doublets arising from the magnetic interaction in the case of 1 are strongly uniaxial, with tunneling splittings smaller than 10^-6  cm^-1 , and this leads to magnetic relaxation at temperatures exceeding the exchange energy (2.14 cm^-1 ), which involves transition via the excited states corresponding to local transitions on the excited doublet at the Dy site. The third and fourth exchange doublets in 2 (located at 2.16 and 3.25 cm^-1 , respectively) show much larger tunneling splittings (of 10^-4 and 10^-3  cm^-1 , respectively), and thus open an important path for magnetic relaxation.

Influence of alcoholic solvent and acetate anion coordination mode variations on structures and magnetic properties of heterometallic Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters

We clarify that slight modifications of the synthetic conditions generate two Zn₂Dy₂ clusters with acetate anion coordination mode variation and different magnetic behaviors.

A planar triangular Dy3 + Dy3 single-molecule magnet with a toroidal magnetic moment

The modification of the axial coordination ligands of the Dy₃ + Dy₃ triangles results in a unique Dy₆ complex, in which single-molecule magnet behavior and meanwhile a toroidal magnetic moment in the ground state have been observed.

Nanoscopic molecular magnets

This review highlights fundamental concepts and synthetic strategies of SMMs and selected examples of 3d, 4f, 5f and mixed 3d–4f, 4d–5d and 3d–5f based SMMs are discussed.