Correlating blocking temperatures with relaxation mechanisms in monometallic single-molecule magnets with high energy barriers (Ueff > 600 K)

Correlating blocking temperatures with relaxation mechanisms in single-molecule magnets.

Opening Magnetic Hysteresis by Axial Ferromagnetic Coupling: From Mono-Decker to Double-Decker Metallacrown

Combining Ising-type magnetic anisotropy with collinear magnetic interactions in single-molecule magnets (SMMs) is a significant synthetic challenge. Herein we report a Dy[15-MC_Cu -5] (1-Dy) SMM, where a Dy^III ion is held in a central pseudo-D_5h pocket of a rigid and planar Cu₅ metallacrown (MC). Linking two Dy[15-MC_Cu -5] units with a single hydroxide bridge yields the double-decker {Dy[15-MC_Cu -5]}₂ (2-Dy) SMM where the anisotropy axes of the two Dy^III ions are nearly collinear, resulting in magnetic relaxation times for 2-Dy that are approximately 200 000 times slower at 2 K than for 1-Dy in zero external field. Whereas 1-Dy and the Y^III -diluted Dy@2-Y analogue do not show remanence in magnetic hysteresis experiments, the hysteresis data for 2-Dy remain open up to 6 K without a sudden drop at zero field. In conjunction with theoretical calculations, these results demonstrate that the axial ferromagnetic Dy-Dy coupling suppresses fast quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM). The relaxation profiles of both complexes curiously exhibit three distinct exponential regimes, and hold the largest effective energy barriers for any reported d-f SMMs up to 625 cm^-1 .

A Cost-Effective Semi-Ab Initio Approach to Model Relaxation in Rare-Earth Single-Molecule Magnets

We discuss a cost-effective approach to understand magnetic relaxation in the new generation of rare-earth single-molecule magnets. It combines ab initio calculations of the crystal field parameters, of the magneto-elastic coupling with local modes, and of the phonon density of states with fitting of only three microscopic parameters. Although much less demanding than a fully ab initio approach, the method gives important physical insights into the origin of the observed relaxation. By applying it to high-anisotropy compounds with very different relaxation, we demonstrate the power of the approach and pinpoint ingredients for improving the performance of single-molecule magnets.

Ab initio calculations as a quantitative tool in the inelastic neutron scattering study of a single-molecule magnet analogue

Ab initio calculations of the electronic structure of Na₉[Tb(W₅O₁₈)₂] have allowed interpretation of the inelastic neutron scattering spectra, revealing the subtle relationship between molecular geometry and magnetic properties of two isostructural species.

A large barrier single-molecule magnet without magnetic memory

We report a six coordinate Dy^III single-molecule magnet (SMM) with an energy barrier of 1110 K for thermal relaxation of magnetization, but no magnetic hysteresis above 2 K.

Exchange-Biasing in a Dinuclear Dysprosium(III) Single-Molecule Magnet with a Large Energy Barrier for Magnetisation Reversal

A dichlorido-bridged dinuclear dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnet [Dy₂ L₂ (μ-Cl)₂ (thf)₂ ] has been made by using a diamine-bis(phenolate) ligand, H₂ L. Magnetic studies show an energy barrier for magnetisation reversal (U_eff ) around 1000 K. An exchange-biasing effect is clearly seen in magnetic hysteresis with steps up to 3 K. Ab initio calculations exclude the possibility of a pure dipolar origin of this effect leading to the conclusion that super-exchange through the chloride bridging ligands is important.

Correlating axial and equatorial ligand field effects to the single-molecule magnet performances of a family of dysprosium bis-methanediide complexes

Treatment of the new methanediide-methanide complex [Dy(SCS)(SCSH)(THF)] (1Dy, SCS = {C(PPh2S)2}2-) with alkali metal alkyls and auxillary ethers produces the bis-methanediide complexes [Dy(SCS)2][Dy(SCS)2(K(DME)2)2] (2Dy), [Dy(SCS)2][Na(DME)3] (3Dy) and [Dy(SCS)2][K(2,2,2-cryptand)] (4Dy). For further comparisons, the bis-methanediide complex [Dy(NCN)2][K(DB18C6)(THF)(toluene)] (5Dy, NCN = {C(PPh2NSiMe3)2}2-, DB18C6 = dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether) was prepared. Magnetic susceptibility experiments reveal slow relaxation of the magnetisation for 2Dy-5Dy, with open magnetic hysteresis up to 14, 12, 15, and 12 K, respectively (∼14 Oe s-1). Fitting the alternating current magnetic susceptibility data for 2Dy-5Dy gives energy barriers to magnetic relaxation (U eff) of 1069(129)/1160(21), 1015(32), 1109(70), and 757(39) K, respectively, thus 2Dy-4Dy join a privileged group of SMMs with U eff values of ∼1000 K and greater with magnetic hysteresis at temperatures >10 K. These structurally similar Dy-components permit systematic correlation of the effects of axial and equatorial ligand fields on single-molecule magnet performance. For 2Dy-4Dy, the Dy-components can be grouped into 2Dy-cation/4Dy and 2Dy-anion/3Dy, where the former have almost linear C[double bond, length as m-dash]Dy[double bond, length as m-dash]C units with short average Dy[double bond, length as m-dash]C distances, and the latter have more bent C[double bond, length as m-dash]Dy[double bond, length as m-dash]C units with longer average Dy[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds. Both U eff and hysteresis temperature are superior for the former pair compared to the latter pair as predicted, supporting the hypothesis that a more linear axial ligand field with shorter M-L distances produces enhanced SMM properties. Comparison with 5Dy demonstrates unusually clear-cut examples of: (i) weakening the equatorial ligand field results in enhancement of the SMM performance of a monometallic system; (ii) a positive correlation between U eff barrier and axial linearity in structurally comparable systems.

Heteroleptic Samarium(III) Chalcogenide Complexes: Opportunities for Giant Exchange Coupling in Bridging σ- and π-Radical Lanthanide Dichalcogenides

The introduction of (N2)3-• radicals into multinuclear lanthanide molecular magnets raised hysteresis temperatures by stimulating strong exchange coupling between spin centers. Radical ligands with larger donor atoms could promote more efficient magnetic coupling between lanthanides to provide superior magnetic properties. Here, we show that heavy chalcogens (S, Se, Te) are primed to fulfill these criteria. The moderately reducing Sm(II) complex, [Sm(N††)2], where N†† is the bulky bis(triisopropylsilyl)amide ligand, can be oxidized (i) by diphenyldichalcogenides E2Ph2 (E = S, Se, Te) to form the mononuclear series [Sm(N††)2(EPh)] (E = S, 1-S; Se, 1-Se, Te, 1-Te); (ii) S8 or Se8 to give dinuclear [{Sm(N††)2}2(μ-η2:η2-E2)] (E = S, 2-S2; Se, 2-Se2); or (iii) with Te═PEt3 to yield [{Sm(N††)2}(μ-Te)] (3). These complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, FTIR, and electronic spectroscopy; the steric bulk of N†† dictates the formation of mononuclear complexes with chalcogenate ligands and dinuclear species with the chalcogenides. The Lα1 fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectra at the Sm L3-edge yielded resolved pre-edge and white-line peaks for 1-S and 2-E2, which served to calibrate our computational protocol in the successful reproduction of the spectral features. This method was employed to elucidate the ground state electronic structures for proposed oxidized and reduced variants of 2-E2. Reactivity is ligand-based, forming species with bridging superchalcogenide (E2)-• and subchalcogenide (E2)3-• radical ligands. The extraordinarily large exchange couplings provided by these dichalcogenide radicals reveal their suitability as potential successors to the benchmark (N2)3-• complexes in molecular magnets.

Studies of the Temperature Dependence of the Structure and Magnetism of a Hexagonal-Bipyramidal Dysprosium(III) Single-Molecule Magnet

The hexagonal-bipyramidal lanthanide(III) complex [Dy(O^tBu)Cl(18-C-6)][BPh₄] (1; 18-C-6 = 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane ether) displays an energy barrier for magnetization reversal (U_eff) of ca. 1000 K in a zero direct-current field. Temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction studies of 1 down to 30 K reveal bending of the Cl-Ln-O^tBu angle at low temperature. Using ab initio calculations, we show that significant bending of the O-Dy-Cl angle upon cooling from 273 to 100 K leads to a ca. 10% decrease in the energy of the excited electronic states. A thorough exploration of the temperature and field dependencies of the magnetic relaxation rate reveals that magnetic relaxation is dictated by five mechanisms in different regimes: Orbach, Raman-I, quantum tunnelling of magnetization, and Raman-II, in addition to the observation of a phonon bottleneck effect.

Magnetic exchange interactions in symmetric lanthanide dimetallics

Multi-frequency EPR spectra and CASSCF-SO calculations on two symmetric homo-dimetallic lanthanide complexes are used to determine the magnetic exchange coupling in the low-lying states.

Synthesis and characterisation of light lanthanide bis-phospholyl borohydride complexes

Organometallic lanthanide (Ln) chemistry is dominated by complexes that contain substituted cyclopentadienyl (CpR) ligands. Closely related phospholyls have received less attention, and although they have proven utility in stabilising low oxidation state Ln complexes the trivalent Ln chemistry of these ligands is limited in comparison. Herein, we synthesise two families of heteroleptic Ln3+ complexes, [Ln(Htp)2(μ-BH4)]2 (Htp = 2,5-di-tert-butylphospholyl; 1-Ln; Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Sm), and [[Ln(Htp)2(μ-BH4)2K(S)]n (2-Ln, Ln = La, Ce, S = 2 DME, n = 2; 3-Ce, Ln = Ce, S = Et2O and THF, n = ∞) via the reactions of parent [Ln(BH4)3(THF)3.5] with K(Htp), to investigate differences between Ln complexes with substituted phospholyl ligands and analogous CpR complexes. Complexes 1-3-Ln were characterised as appropriate by single crystal XRD, SQUID magnetometry, elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR, ATR-IR and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Ab initio calculations reveal that small changes in the Ln3+ coordination spheres of these complexes can have relatively large influences on crystal field splitting.

Inelastic Neutron Scattering Measurement of the Ground State Tunneling Gap in Tb and Ho Analogues of a Dy Field-Induced Single-Molecule Magnet

Recent advances in single-molecule magnet (SMM) research have placed great value on interpretation of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) data for rare earth (RE)-containing SMMs. Here, we present the synthesis of several rare earth complexes where combined magnetic and INS studies have been performed, supported by ab initio calculations. The reaction of rare earth nitrate salts with 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy) and tetrahalocatecholate (X₄Cat^2-, X = Br, Cl) ligands in methanol (MeOH) afforded two new families of compounds [RE(2,2'-bpy)₂(X₄Cat)(X₄CatH)(MeOH)] (X = Br and RE = Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb for 1-RE; X = Cl and RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb for 2-RE). Addition of triethylamine (Et₃N) to the reaction mixture delivered Et₃NH[RE(2,2'-bpy)₂(Br₄Cat)₂] (3-RE, RE = Er and Yb). Interestingly, cerium behaves differently to the rest of the series, generating (2,2'-bpyH)₂[Ce(Br₄Cat)₃(2,2'-bpy)] (4-Ce) with tetravalent Ce(IV) in contrast to the trivalent metal ions in 1-3. The static magnetic properties of 1-RE (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) were investigated in conjunction with INS measurements on 1-Y, 1-Tb, and 1-Ho to probe their ground state properties and any crystal field excitations. To facilitate interpretation of the INS spectra and provide insight into the magnetic behavior, ab initio calculations were performed using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural data of 1-RE (RE = Tb, Dy and Ho). The ab initio calculations indicate ground doublets dominated by the maximal angular momentum projection states of Kramers type for 1-Dy and Ising type for 1-Tb and 1-Ho. Dynamic magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that 1-Dy exhibits slow magnetic relaxation in the presence of a small applied magnetic field mainly through Raman pathways. Inelastic neutron scattering spectra exhibit distinct transitions corresponding to crystal field-induced tunneling gaps between the pseudo-doublet ground state components for 1-Tb and 1-Ho, which is one of the first direct experimental measurements with INS of such tunneling transitions in a molecular nanomagnet. The power of high-resolution INS is demonstrated with evidence of two distinct tunneling gaps measurable for the two crystallographically unique Tb coordination environments observed in the single crystal X-ray structure.

Direct observation of magnetoelastic coupling in a molecular spin qubit: new insights from crystal field neutron scattering data

Single-molecule magnets are promising candidates for data storage and quantum computing applications. A major barrier to their use is rapid magnetic relaxation and quantum decoherence due to thermal vibrations. Here we report a reanalysis of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) data of the candidate qubit Na9[Ho(W5O18)2]·35D2O, wherein we demonstrate for the first time that magnetic relaxation times and mechanisms can be directly observed as crystal field (CF) peak broadening in INS spectra of a lanthanoid molecular system. The magnetoelastic coupling between the lower energy CF states and phonons (lattice vibrations) is determined by the simultaneous measurement of CF excitations and the phonon density of states, encoded within the same INS experiment. This directly results in the determination of relaxation coupling pathways that occur in this molecule. Such information is invaluable for the further advancement of SMMs and to date has only been obtained from techniques performed in external magnetic fields. Additionally, we determine a relaxation rate of quantum-tunnelling of magnetisation that is consistent with previously measured EPR spectroscopy data.

Structural comparison of [Ce(OtBu)Cl(THF)5](BPh4) to smaller rare earth analogues

The introduction of the cerium(III) analogue (1-Ce, Ln = Ce) of (tert-butoxido)chloridopentakis(tetrahydrofuran)lanthanide(III) tetraphenylborate tetrahydrofuran disolvate, [Ln{OC(CH3)3}Cl(C4H8O)5][B(C6H5)4]·2C4H8O or [Ln(OtBu)Cl(THF)5](BPh4)·2THF (1-Ln) has been achieved with a structural comparison between the existing solid-state structures of other rare earth analogues and the title compound at 100 and 180 K. The cation in 1-Ce is targeted as the cerium(III) ion possesses the criteria to exhibit slow magnetic relaxation in axial point-charge crystal fields, akin to the dysprosium(III) ion in 1-Dy. AC magnetic susceptibility experiments reveal no such behaviour for 1-Ce, putting the viability of cerium-based SMMs into question.

Determination of molecular hydration in solution via changes in magnetic anisotropy

The hydration behaviour of coordination complexes is important for understanding their roles as bio-imaging agents. Determination of hydration is difficult, and various optical and NMR-based techniques have been used. Here...

Determinative Effect of Axial Linearity on Single-Molecule Magnet Performance in Dinuclear Dysprosium Complexes

We report two dichloride-bridged dinuclear dysprosium(III) complexes based on salen ligands, namely, [Dy(L1)(μ-Cl)(thf)]2 (1; H2L1 = N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)phenylenediamine) and [Dy2(L2)2(μ-Cl)2(thf)2]2 (2; H2L2 = N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)ethylenediamine). These two complexes have two short Dy-O(PhO) bonds that have angles of ~90° for 1 and ~143° for 2, leading to clear slow relaxation of the magnetization for 2 and not for 1. Compound 2 has a near-identical core to the recently reported compound [Dy2(L3)2(μ-Cl)2(thf)2] (3; H2L3 = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-tert-butylbenzyl)amine), the only substantial difference being the relative angle of the two O(PhO)-Dy-O(PhO) vectors, which are collinear in 2 owing to inversion symmetry and make an angle of ~68° in 3 owing to a molecular C2 axis. We show that this subtle structural difference leads to large differences in the dipolar ground states, giving rise to open magnetic hysteresis for 3 and not for 2.

A rare case of a zero-field single-ion magnet in a cerium(III) pseudo-icosahedral complex

The synthesis and structural characterisation of [Ln(Tp2-Fu)2]I (1-Ln; Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) (Tp2-Fu = hydrotris(3-(2'-furyl)-pyrazol-1-yl)borate) have been reported as an isomorphous series adopting pseudo-icosahedral ligand field geometries. Continuous shape measurement (CShM) analyses on the crystal field environments of 1-Ln show the smallest values yet reported for complexes employing two hexadentate ligands (e.g. bis-scorpionate environments), with the smallest belonging to 1-La. Single-ion magnetism for 1-Ce, 1-Pr and 1-Nd was probed with ac magnetic susceptibility studies revealing slow magnetic relaxation for 1-Nd in applied magnetic fields and in zero-applied field for 1-Ce, which is a rare observation for Ce(III)-based single-ion magnets. The energy barrier to magnetic relaxation for 1-Ce was experimentally determined to be Ueff = 30(5) cm-1, which is comparable to that of other cerium-based single-molecule magnets in the literature, where these systems stablise the mJ = ±5/2 state and possess large energy gaps between the ground and first excited state that do not agree with the experimentally determined barrier.

Thermal- and light-induced valence tautomerism with a concerted spin transition in an iron tris(diimine) complex

The switching phenomena of spin crossover (SCO) and valence tautomerism (VT) are respectively dominated by iron(ii) and cobalt-dioxolene systems. To explore new possibilities for SCO or VT, the redox-active α-diimine ligand bis((phenyl)imino)acenaphthene (Ph-BIAN), which can adopt neutral (L0), monoanionic (L˙-), and dianionic (L2-) states, was paired with zinc, cobalt, manganese and iron to give [M(Ph-BIAN)3](BPh4)2 (M = Zn (1), Co (2), Mn (3), Fe (4)). Compounds 1, 2 and 3 adopt a temperature invariant MII-(L0)3 state, (2 and 3 are high spin (HS)) in the solid- and solution-states. Electrochemical measurements show the metal controls the degree of electronic communication between the Ph-BIAN ligands. In stark contrast to 1, 2 and 3, compound 4 adopts the LS-FeIII-(L˙-)(L0)2 (LS = low spin) tautomeric form as the ground state in both the solid-state and in solution. Combined variable temperature solid- and solution-state structural, Mössbauer and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements, show that 4 undergoes the thermally-induced VT process LS-FeIII-(L˙-)(L0)2 ⇌ HS-FeII-(L0)3, the only example of VT accompanied by a concerted spin transition in an iron complex with a redox-active ligand. Solid-state photomagnetic measurements suggest that the VT interconversion is also induced by light. Light-induced VT has not been previously observed for complexes other than cobalt-dioxolene, and is potentially afforded here by the unique spin-state change that results in large differences in the Fe-N bond lengths for the two valence tautomers. This study introduces a new example of VT, and suggests that optically-induced VT can be displayed by iron systems, opening alternate pathways toward molecular switches that can be controlled with multiple stimuli.

Ab initio-based determination of lanthanoid-radical exchange as visualised by inelastic neutron scattering

Magnetic exchange coupling can modulate the slow magnetic relaxation in single-molecule magnets. Despite this, elucidation of exchange coupling remains a significant challenge for the lanthanoid(iii) ions, both experimentally and computationally. In this work, the crystal field splitting and 4f-π exchange coupling in the erbium-semiquinonate complex [ErTp2dbsq] (Er-dbsq; Tp- = hydro-tris(1-pyrazolyl)borate, dbsqH2 = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinone) have been determined by inelastic neutron scattering (INS), magnetometry, and CASSCF-SO ab initio calculations. A related complex with a diamagnetic ligand, [ErTp2trop] (Er-trop; tropH = tropolone), has been used as a model for the crystal field splitting in the absence of coupling. Magnetic and INS data indicate antiferromagnetic exchange for Er-dbsq with a coupling constant of Jex = -0.23 meV (-1.8 cm-1) (-2Jex formalism) and good agreement is found between theory and experiment, with the low energy magnetic and spectroscopic properties well modelled. Most notable is the ability of the ab initio modelling to reproduce the signature of interference between localised 4f states and delocalised π-radical states that is evident in the Q-dependence of the exchange excitation. This work highlights the power of combining INS with EPR and magnetometry for determination of ground state properties, as well as the enhanced capability of CASSCF-SO ab initio calculations and purposely developed ab initio-based theoretical models. We deliver an unprecedentedly detailed representation of the entangled character of 4f-π exchange states, which is obtained via an accurate image of the spin-orbital transition density between the 4f-π exchange coupled wavefunctions.

Cobalt Complexes with Aminophenolate Ligands: Spin Crossover and Ligand Versatility

A search for switchable molecules has afforded a family of cobalt complexes featuring derivatives of 2-aminophenol: 4,6-di-tert-butyl aminophenol (H2LH) and 2-anilino-4,6-di-tert-butyl aminophenol (H2LPh). The heteroleptic cobalt complexes incorporate a Mentpa ligand (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; n = 0-3), which involves the methylation of the 6-position of the pyridine ring). Eight members of this family have been synthesized and characterized: [CoII(HLPhAP)-(tpa)](BPh4) (1), [CoII(HLPhAP)-(Me2tpa)](BPh4) (2a), [CoII(LPhISQ)•-(Me2tpa)](BPh4) (2b), [CoII(HLPhAP)-(Me3tpa)](BPh4) (3a), [CoII(LPhISQ)•-(Me3tpa)](BPh4) (3b), [CoIII(HLHAP)-(tpa)] (BPh4)(ClO4) (4a), [CoIII(LHISQ)•-(tpa)](BPh4)(ClO4) (4b) and [CoII(HLHAP)-(Me2tpa)](BPh4) (5), where the aminophenol-derived ligands are monoanionic in either the open shell radical iminosemiquinonate (LISQ)•- or the closed shell protonated aminophenolate (HLAP)-. We isolate high-spin Co(II) and low-spin Co(III) compounds with no thermal interconversions evident in the solid state. In contrast, variable temperature electronic spectra for solutions of 3b suggest Co(II) spin crossover. Density functional theory calculations employing the M06L-D4/def2-TZVPP and TD-CAM-B3LYP/def2-TZVPP levels of theory support the experimental findings. This work presents the first example of a cobalt-iminosemiquinonate complex to exhibit spin crossover. The electronic structure versatility of complexes that integrate redox-active metal ions with both low- and high-spin states, alongside ligands that can exist in various redox and protonation states, holds significant promise for applications in molecular materials and chemical reactivity.

Redox, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of C3-symmetric rare earth complexes featuring atypical ortho-dioxolene binding

The molecular symmetry in rare earth (RE) coordination chemistry is critically important for controlling the electronic structure of the RE ion and the resulting magnetic and photophysical properties. Here, we report a family of complexes with unusual C3-point symmetry: [REIII(Br4catH)3(tpa)] (Br4catH- = tetrabromocatecholate, tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine). The synthesis and solid-state characterisation of eleven analogues (RE = Y, Sm to Lu) were performed, enabling a systematic investigation of the effect of symmetry on various physical properties across the RE series. The crystal structures reveal a unique cooperative coordination motif, featuring a cyclic hydrogen-bonding network between the atypical monodentate monoprotonated Br4catH- ligands. Electrochemical analysis reveals a single oxidation process that suggests a concerted three-electron oxidation of all tetrabromocatecholate ligands to semiquinonate. Furthermore, single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour was investigated, revealing unexpected in-field slow magnetic relaxation for both Dy and Yb analogues, which can be rationalised by the effect of C3-symmetry. Finally, luminescence measurements were performed to probe the CF splitting of the Yb analogue and quantify the error in the overall CF splitting predicted by ab initio calculations. The governing effects of C3-symmetry are consistent observations in all RE3+ metals studied in this work, manifesting in the concerted three-electron oxidation, SMM behaviour, ground state composition, and luminescence properties.