Influence of lattice water molecules on the magnetization dynamics of binuclear dysprosium(III) compounds: insights from magnetic and ab initio calculations.

Lattice water effects on the structures and magnetic properties of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have attracted considerable attention. Herein, we have successfully synthesized two centrosymmetric binuclear compounds [Dy2(2,3'-ppcad)2(C2H3O2)4(H2O)2] (1) and [Dy2(2,3'-ppcad)2(C2H3O2)4(H2O)2]·6H2O (2) (2,3'-Hppcad = N3-(2-pyrazinyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamidrazone) by elaborately varying the amount of the base (LiOH·H2O). Through isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), the interactions between DyIII ions and 2,3'-Hppcad with different amounts of LiOH·H2O were monitored in real time. Magnetic studies reveal that two compounds exhibit the typical zero-field single-molecule magnet behavior with different energy barrier (Ueff) values of 103.43 K for 1 and 386.48 K for 2, wherein the SMM performance for 2 stands out among the reported nine-coordinated Dy2-SMMs systems with spherical capped square antiprism (C4v) geometries. To rationalize the observed difference in the magnetic properties of 1 and 2, ab initio calculations have been performed. The introduction of lattice water molecules leads to differences in the J values observed for 1 and 2. The stronger antiferromagnetic DyIII-DyIII couplings in 2 were presented and the fast quantum tunneling of magnetization was further suppressed, thereby achieving a higher Ueff value. This work provides an effective strategy to enhance the SMM performance, and combines with ab initio calculations to explain how lattice water molecules can affect the magnetic interactions of Dy2-SMMs.

A Trinuclear Zinc Coordination Cluster Exhibiting Fluorescence, Colorimetric Sensitivity, and Recycling of Silver Ion and Detection of Cupric Ion.

The detection and reusage of transition-metal ions play a crucial role in human health and environmental protection. Recently, various analytical methods and substances have been successfully applied to probe or sense silver ions; however, rare representative examples have been presented regarding the simultaneous detection of silver and silver recycling with the elemental silver powder form. Herein, an unparalleled sensing mechanism for silver ions and recycling silver in its elemental form is exemplified by a fluorescent trinuclear zinc coordination cluster possessing the dual function of colorimetric sensing of silver and responding cupric ions. A Schiff-base-based trinuclear zinc coordination cluster, 1, with formula Zn3(L1)2(CH3COO)2(H2O)2, has been successfully synthesized by the initial exploration of multidentate ligand H2L1-((E)-2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzy-lidene)amino)phenol) with various metal ions under self-assembly reactions. Complex 1 is highly fluorescent in solution and as a solid, in addition to acting as a fluorescence sensor toward AgI in ethanol media. Compound 1 displays distinctive sensing of AgI through the fluorescence quenching effect at 576 nm and signal augment at 446 nm over 11 kinds of cations in the absence of interference. The proposed sensing mechanism is attributed to the ligands in 1 which interact with AgI; the ligands undergo oxidation cyclization reaction, leading to the formation of 2 with the formula Zn3(L2)4(CH3COO)2·2CH3CH2OH·H2O, and AgI reduction to elemental Ag powder. Compound 1 presents specific selectivity and sensitivity for AgI in ethanolic solution with a detection limit of 0.1722 µM. The orange color of 1 changes to colorless during the mixing of a small amount of AgI, revealing its potential practical application in naked-eye detection of AgI. Furthermore, 2 exhibits obvious fluorescence emission at 448 nm (λex = 380 nm) and selectively responds to CuII over 11 kinds of metal ions with the fluorescence "turn-off" owing to the formation of 3 in ethanolic solution; it also has a detection limit of 0.0226 µM.

An Inconspicuous Six-Coordinate Neutral DyIII Single-Ion Magnet with Remarkable Magnetic Anisotropy and Stability.

It is a crucial challenge to address both magnetic anisotropy and stability for single-molecule magnets (SMMs) used in next-generation nanodevices. Highly axial lanthanide SMMs with neutral charge and moderate coordination numbers represent promising magnetic materials. Here, using iodide ions with large volume and low surface charge density as weak donors, we report a six-coordinate neutral dysprosium SMM [Dy(Cy3PO)2I3(CH3CN)] with a certain degree of stability exhibiting a huge thermal barrier of 1062 K and hysteresis loops open up to 9 K. Through the elaborate reduction of ligand field strength, an apparent strongly axial crystal field is provided which elicits prominent crystal-field splitting and high axiality with the thermally activated relaxation via the third-excited Kramers' doublet. Moreover, the profound influence of strong equatorial ligand substitution on the electronic structure and relaxation pathway is clearly explored in DyIII analogues. The result suggests the great potential of the reducing the transverse ligand field in the improvement of SMMs performance.

Experimental and Theoretical Interpretation on the Magnetic Behavior in a Series of Pentagonal-Bipyramidal DyIII Single-Ion Magnets.

Taking advantage of the steric hindrance and charge-driving effects, four air-stable pentagonal bipyramidal mononuclear DyIII compounds were hydrothermally synthesized. With a tetradentate ligand, N,N'-bis(2-methylenepyridinyl)ethylenediamine (Bpen), invariably coordinates to DyIII in an equatorial plan, 1-3 achieve an orderly transformation of the ligand field by sequentially replacing the remaining sites of the DyIII ion. Compound 4 possesses the same coordination atoms but a different peripheral coordination sphere with 3. Magnetic characterizations display that the compounds are field-induced single-ion magnets (SIM) with actually low barriers, even though 2 has both the same atoms and a similar geometry of the first sphere compared with [Dy(bbpen)Cl] (2', H2 bbpen=N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-bis(2-methylpyridyl)ethylenediamin), a high-performance SIM previously reported. Detailed ab initio calculations have been employed to further elucidate the electronic and magnetic structure of the low-lying energy levels of compounds 1-4 and 2'. The theoretical results indicate there is an apparent difference in the electronic structure for these compounds. The analysis on the electrostatic potential further demonstrates that although the pentagonal bipyramidal D5h is one of the ideal configurations expected, the electron density of the donor atoms from the different hybridizations and other functional groups, outside the first sphere, should also be considered in the rational design of promising molecular magnets.

Magnetic Interaction Affecting the Zero-Field Single-Molecule Magnet Behaviors in Isomorphic {NiII2DyIII2} and {CoII2DyIII2} Tetranuclear Complexes.

Great interest is being shown in investigating magnetic interactions that efficiently influence lanthanide single-molecule magnet behavior. A series of heterometallic complexes [M2Ln2(Hhms)2(CH3COO)6(CH3OH)2(H2O)2]·(NO3)2 (M = NiII, Ln = DyIII (1), GdIII (2), and YIII (3); M = CoII, Ln = DyIII (4), GdIII (5), and YIII (6)) have been prepared with a compartmental Schiff-base ligand, 1-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-semicarbazide (H2hms), featuring a zigzag-shaped MII-LnIII-LnIII-MII metallic core arrangement. In complexes 1-6, a unique monophenoxo/diacetate asymmetric bridging connects MII ion with LnIII ion, and four acetates bridge two LnIII ions where acetates play essential roles as coligand in generating the tetranuclear units. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of predominant ferromagnetic coupling in DyIII and GdIII derivatives, and slow relaxation of magnetization is observed for {Ni2IIDy2III} and {CoII2DyIII2} with an energy barrier of 16.0 K for {Ni2IIDy2III} and 6.7 K for {CoII2DyIII2} under zero static field. Compared with the analogue {CoII2DyIII2}, the {Ni2IIDy2III} shows longer relaxation time and an absence of the quantum tunnelling of the magnetization (QTM) at low temperatures. Ab initio calculations suggest that the zero-field QTM of {Ni2IIDy2III} is effectively interrupted thanks to the ferromagnetic exchange coupling generated between NiII and DyIII ions. The presence of ferromagnetic exchange between NiII and DyIII ions is more conducive to zero-field single-molecule magnet behaviors than in isomorphic {CoII2DyIII2} where the exchange is antiferromagnetic.

Magnetization Dynamics Changes of Dysprosium(III) Single-Ion Magnets Associated with Guest Molecules.

Two Dy(III) single-ion magnets with a trigonal dodecahedron (D2d) for 1 and an approximately square-antiprismatic (SAP, D4d) N2O6 coordination environment for 2, formulated as [Dy(Phen)(tfmb)3] (1) and [Dy(Phen)(tfmb)3]·0.5(1,4-dioxane) (2) (tfmb = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3-butanedione, Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), were obtained. Therein, complex 1 was transformed to 2 in 1,4-dioxane solution. Structural analysis shows that complexes 1 and 2 have differing local symmetry of Dy(III) ions. Magnetic studies indicate that the barrier heights (ΔE/kB) of 1 and 2 are 63.56 and 102.82 K under zero dc field as well as 118.50 and 164.55 K under 1200 Oe dc field, respectively. Based on the frequency dependencies of the ac susceptibilities, the effective barriers (ΔE/kB) and the pre-exponential factors (τ0) are 67.05 K and 4.57 × 10(-6) s for 1 and 95.88 K and 2.39 × 10(-7) s for 2 under zero dc field. The present work illustrates that guest-determined notable structure change results in different barrier heights.

High-Performance Energetic Characteristics and Magnetic Properties of a Three-Dimensional Cobalt(II) Metal-Organic Framework Assembled with Azido and Triazole.

A three-dimensional metal-organic framework based, high-energy-density compound, [Co5(3-atrz)7(N3)3] (3-atrz = 3-amine-1H-1,2,4-triazole), features superior detonation properties, insensitivity, and thermostability. Magnetic studies show that the compound characterizes the coexistence of remarkable coercivity, metamagnetism, long-range ordering, and relaxation dynamics. The heat-capacity measurement confirms the typical long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 16 K. This difunctional system exemplifies an effective attempt at developing advanced magnetoenergetic materials.

Family of defect-dicubane Ni4Ln2 (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) and Ni4Y2 complexes: rare Tb(III) and Ho(III) examples showing SMM behavior.

Reactions of Ln(III) perchlorate (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho), NiCl2·6H2O, and a polydentate Schiff base resulted in the assembly of novel isostructural hexanuclear Ni4Ln2 complexes [Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Ho (4)] with an unprecedented 3d-4f metal topology consisting of two defect-dicubane units. The corresponding Ni4Y2 (5) complex containing diamagnetic Y(III) atoms was also isolated to assist the magnetic studies. Interestingly, complexes 2 and 3 exhibit SMM characteristics and 4 shows slow relaxation of the magnetization. The absence of frequency-dependent in-phase and out-of-phase signals for the Ni-Y species suggests that the Ln ions' contribution to the slow relaxation must be effectual as previously observed in other Ni-Dy samples. However, the observation of χ″ signals with zero dc field for the Ni-Tb and Ni-Ho derivatives is notable. Indeed, this is the first time that such a behavior is observed in the Ni-Tb and Ni-Ho complexes.

Solvent-induced syntheses, crystal structures, magnetic properties, and single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation of azido-Cu(II) coordination polymers with 2-naphthoic acid as co-ligand.

Based on the solvent-induced effect, three new azido-copper coordination polymers--[Cu(2-na)(N3)] (1), [Cu(2-na)(N3)] (2), and [Cu(2-na)(N3)(C2H5OH)] (3) (where 2-na = 2-naphthoic acid)--have been successfully prepared. Structure analysis shows that the Cu(II) cations in compounds 1-3 present tetra-, penta-, and hexa-coordination geometries, respectively. Compound 1 is a well-isolated one-dimensional (1D) chain with the EO-azido group, while 2 is an isomer of 1 and exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) layer involving the EE-azido group. Thermodynamically, density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that 2 occupies the stable state and 1 locates in the metastable state. Compound 3 consists of a 1D chain with triple bridging mode, which is derived from 1, and undergoes a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation by soaking in ethanol solvent; the powdery product of 1, namely 1b, could be yielded after the dealcoholization of compound 3. Magnetic measurements indicate that compounds 1-3 perform strong intrachain ferromagnetic interactions, experiencing long-range magnetic ordering and slow magnetic relaxation. Compound 1 features the metamagnetic behavior with a transition temperature of 15 K, while 2 and 3 display spin glass behavior with the phase transition temperatures of 15 and 12 K, respectively. Magneto-structure relationships are investigated as well.

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic analyses of a family of heterometallic hexanuclear [Ni4M2] (M = Gd, Dy, Y) compounds: observation of slow magnetic relaxation in the Dy(III) derivative.

We described the syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic behavior of a novel series of heterometallic [Ni(4)M(2)] [M = Gd (1), Dy (2) and Y (3)] hexanuclear compounds afforded by the reaction of rare-earth(III) nitrate, nickel(II) acetate, and Schiff-base ligand 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenol (H(2)L) in a mixture of ethanol and dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that all three compounds have a metal core made up of two Ni(2)MO(4) defective cubanes. The magnetic properties of all compounds have been studied. Solid-state direct-current magnetic susceptibility analyses demonstrate competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions within both compounds 1 and 3. Solid-state alternating-current magnetic susceptibility investigations show a frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal for compound 2 below 4 K, suggestive of slow magnetic relaxation.

Polyoxometalate-supported 3d-4f heterometallic single-molecule magnets.

The reactions of [CuTbL(Schiff)(H(2)O)(3)Cl(2)]Cl complexes with A- or B-type Anderson polyoxoanions lead to new polyoxometalate-supported 3d-4f heterometallic systems with single-molecule-magnet behavior.

High temperature quantum tunnelling of magnetization and thousand kelvin anisotropy barrier in a Dy2 single-molecule magnet.

We report here a dinuclear DyIII iodine-bridged single-molecule magnet self-assembled by cis/trans coordination chemistry that displays a large anisotropy barrier of ca. 1300 K and a hysteresis opening temperature of 16 K. High temperature quantum tunnelling of magnetization is observed up to 56 K in zero-field and explained by the combination of the large anisotropy barrier and the local transverse field at the trans site. The results provide a model for thorough understanding of the effect of electronic structure on the magnetic behavior of lanthanide complexes.

Magnetic properties of dysprosium cubanes dictated by the M-O-M angles of the [Dy4(mu3-OH)4] core.

Two new dysprosium(III) coordination compounds, namely, [Dy(4)(HL)(4)(C(6)H(4)NH(2)COO)(2)(mu(3)-OH)(4)(mu-OH)(2)(H(2)O)(4)].4CH(3)CN.12H(2)O (1) and Dy(8)(HL)(10)(C(6)H(4)NH(2)COO)(2)(mu(3)-OH)(8)(OH)(2)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)] (2), have been synthesized from the Schiff-base ligand 2-{[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}benzoic acid (H(2)L) and dysprosium chloride (1) or dysprosium nitrate (2). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that compound 1 exhibits a tetranuclear cubane-like structure and that 2 is an octanuclear, bis-cubane complex. The [Dy(4)(mu (3)-OH)(4)] cubane cores of 1 and 2 are structurally related; however, the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 are drastically different. Indeed, 2 shows slow relaxation of magnetization while no out-of-phase alternating current (ac) signal is noticed for 1. These significant disparities are most likely due to the different M-O-M angles observed for the respective cubane cores.

Synergistic effect of mixed ligands on the anisotropy axis of two dinuclear dysprosium complexes.

We present the syntheses, crystal structures, magnetic properties and theoretical calculations performed on two dinuclear dysprosium complexes with formulas Dy2(L1)2(L2)2(CH3CH2OH)(CH3OH) (1) and Dy2(L1)2(L3)2(CH3OH)2·1.5CH3OH (2). Single-crystal X-ray structural data analyses showed that both complexes contain two nonequivalent dysprosium ions bridged by two phenolate oxygen atoms. In both complexes, each dysprosium site adopts a N2O6 coordination constitution and triangular dodecahedron (D2d) configuration geometry with different distortion degree. Both complexes display single-molecule magnet behavior manifested by frequency-dependent out-of-phase alternating current susceptibility signal peaks under a zero-applied dc field. The effective energy barrier of the magnetization reversal and relaxation time values are 61 K, 7.1 × 10-6 s (1) and 51 K, 1.9 × 10-6 s (2), respectively. Theoretical calculations revealed a drastic discrepancy between the orientations of the anisotropy axis of the Dy2 ion observed in these two dinuclear complexes, resulting from the different spatial arrangements of the mixed ligands in the core structure.

Solvent-tuned magnetic exchange interactions in Dy2 systems ligated by a µ-phenolato heptadentate Schiff base.

A series of binuclear dysprosium compounds, namely, [Dy(api)]2 (1), [Dy(api)]2·2CH2Cl2 (2), [Dy(Clapi)]2·2C4H8O (3), and [Dy(Clapi)]2·2C3H6O (4) (H3api = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazoline; H3Clapi = 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-chlorophenyl)-1,3-bis[3'-aza-4'-(2''-hydroxy-5''-chlorophenyl)prop-4'-en-1'-yl]-1,3-imidazolidine), have been isolated by the reactions of salen-type ligands H3api/H3Clapi with DyCl3·6H2O in different solvent systems. Structural analysis reveals that each salen-type ligand provides a heptadentate coordination pocket (N4O3) to encapsulate a DyIII ion and all of the DyIII centers in 1-4 adopt a distorted square antiprism geometry with D 4d symmetry. Magnetic studies showed that compound 1 did not exhibit single-molecule magnetic (SMMs) behavior. With the introduction of different lattice solvents, compounds 2-4 showed filed-induced slow magnetic relaxation with barriers U eff of 18.2 K (2), 28.0 K (3) and 16.4 K (4), respectively. Ab initio calculations were employed to interpret the magnetization behavior of 1-4. The combination of experimental and theoretical data reveal the importance of the weak exchange interaction between the DyIII ions in the observation of slow magnetic relaxation, and a relaxation mechanism has been developed to rationalize the observed difference in the U eff values. The different lattice solvents influence Dy-O-Dy bond angles and thus alter the torsion of the square antiprism geometry, consequently resulting in distinct magnetic interactions and the magnetic behavior.

Fine-tuning the type of equatorial donor atom in pentagonal bipyramidal Dy(iii) complexes to enhance single-molecule magnet properties.

A family of new structurally manipulable pentagonal-bipyramidal (PBP) DyIII SMMs, with formulas [Dy(Hbpen)(Cl)3] (1), [Dy(Hbpen)Cl(OPhBr2NO2)2] (2), [Dy(Hbpen)(OPhCl2NO2)3] (3) and [Dy(Mbpen)(Cl)3] (1CH3), were controllably prepared based on a H-substituted amine-based ligand N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (Hbpen) or a CH3-substituted amine-based ligand N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (Mbpen) and are compared with the reported imine-based DyIII analogues (1'-3'). Upon fine-modulating the type of nitrogen donor on the pentagon plane, the electronic effect is efficiently implemented to significantly modify the magnetic anisotropy and SMM behavior of PBP complexes. Notably, the amine-based 2 shows a three-fold improved energy barrier and an observable hysteresis opening up to 3 K. 1 and 1CH3 exhibit slower relaxation and enhanced anisotropy compared to the imine-based analogue, accompanied by the reorientation of magnetic easy axes. Conversely, poor magnetic properties are observed in 3 after the reduction of imine. The changes in SMM behavior and uniaxial anisotropies are rationalized by both experimental and theoretical studies. The H-substituted amine has formally a larger magnitude of negative charge than imine due to the polarized N-H σ bond. However the repulsion generated by the sp3 N of amine towards the DyIII ion is also affected by the orientation of lone pair electrons. The present work provides a feasible way to rationally optimize the SMM performance of DyIII complexes, highlighting the importance of the electronic properties of an equatorial donor in controlling the quantum tunneling and the magnetic relaxation of PBP DyIII-SMMs.

Effect of coordination anion substitutions on relaxation dynamics of defect dicubane Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters.

We showcase the coordination anion substitution effect on the relaxation dynamics of defect dicubane Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters. On utilization of the coordination similarity of acetate and nitrate anions, we successfully isolated two defect dicubane Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters with formulas [Zn2Dy2(L)4(NO3)2(CH3OH)2]·2CH3COCH3 (1) and [Zn2Dy2(L)4(CH3COO)2(CH3CH2OH)2]·4CH3COCH3 (2), where L denotes the fully deprotonated H2L ligand (E)-4-(tert-butyl)-2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenol. Such a subtle change in the coordination anion around the DyIII site imposes a significant effect on the distinct relaxation dynamics in 1 and 2. Their magnetic properties were characterized through SQUID magnetometry and theoretical calculations to determine the effective energy barrier, energy levels, magnetic anisotropy and intracluster magnetic exchange coupling interactions. Both tetramers display frequency dependence of the out-of-phase ac magnetic susceptibility signal under zero applied dc field associated with single-molecule magnetic behaviour. The effective energy barriers of 1 and 2 are 108 and 40 cm-1, respectively. Theoretical calculations suggest that the different relaxation dynamics between them are mainly ascribed to the variation of the coordination anion around the DyIII site.

Bromine-bridged Dy2 single-molecule magnet: magnetic anisotropy driven by cis/trans stereoisomers.

We report the first bromine-bridged dinuclear [Dy(Cy3PO)2(µ-Br)(Br)2]2·2C7H8 single-molecule magnet with an effective energy barrier of 684 K and magnetic hysteresis below 3 K. The asymmetric DyIII centres present two unique stereoisomeric octahedral coordination environments depending on the cis/trans disposition of the Cy3PO ligands, leading to the orthogonality of the easy magnetic axes that annihilates the dipolar interactions.

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

The present work clarifies how slight modifications of the synthetic conditions (e.g., employment of different alcoholic solvents) can result in the variation of the coordination mode of an acetate anion yielding two structurally similar heterometallic Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear clusters with formulas [Zn2Dy2(L)4(CH3COO)2(CH3CH2OH)2]·2CH2Cl2·0.5H2O (1) and [Zn2Dy2(L)4(CH3COO)2(CH3OH)2]·4CH2Cl2·2CH3OH·0.1H2O (2), where H2L is (E)-4-(tert-butyl)-2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenol. Complexes 1 and 2 were synthesized by varying the alcoholic solvent employed in the synthesis. The ethanol solvent in 1 led to the acetate anion being coordinated to the DyIII ion in bidentate chelating mode while the methanol solvent in 2 generated the acetate anion coordinated to the DyIII ion in bridging mode. Such a subtle change of the coordination mode of the acetate anion on the DyIII ion imposes a significant effect on the distinct dynamic relaxation in 1 and 2. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were characterized through SQUID magnetometry and theoretical calculations to determine the effective energy barrier, energy levels, magnetic anisotropy and intracluster magnetic exchange coupling parameters. Both tetramers show frequency dependence of the out-of-phase ac magnetic susceptibility signal under zero applied dc field associated with single-molecule magnetic behaviour. The effective energy barriers of 1 and 2 are 115.4 and 104.2 cm-1, respectively. Theoretical calculations suggest that the different magnetic behaviours between 1 and 2 are mainly due to the coordination mode variations of the acetate anion on the DyIII site. The present result highlights how a subtle modification in the reaction alcoholic solvent resulted in two structurally similar tetranuclear Zn2Dy2 examples with different magnetic behaviours.

Two {ZnDyIII} complexes supported by monophenoxido/dicarboxylate bridges with multiple relaxation processes: carboxylato ancillary ligand-controlled magnetic anisotropy in square antiprismatic DyIII species.

Two linear-shaped heterometallic trinuclear {ZnII2DyIII} clusters were prepared with a compartmental Schiff-base ligand and carboxylate as the co-ligand. The central DyIII ion is sandwiched by two [ZnHhms(RCOO)2] (H2hms = (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-semicarbazide) units to form a distorted square antiprismatic (SAP) geometry with D4d symmetry. The DyIII and ZnII ions are triply bridged by one unique monophenoxido/dicarboxylate group, where one of the carboxylates shows a severe angular distortion. The magnetic analysis revealed a field-dependent change with two relaxation processes in 1 and 2, which originated from the molecular magnetic center and dipolar-dipolar coupling. The dipole-induced slow relaxation disappeared upon magnetic-site dilution, while another faster relaxation appeared in the high frequency region associated with the different distortions of the antiprismatic sites for 1 and disordered structures for 2. Ab initio calculations revealed that two {ZnII2DyIII}-carboxylate complexes are axial in nature, but the remarkable quantum tunnelling of the magnetization exists in the ground state, which lowers the anisotropic barrier and prohibits zero-field single-molecule magnet behavior. The crystal field of the carboxylato ancillary ligands produces a competitive effect with the phenoxido bridging ligands on the magnetic anisotropy of the lanthanide ions, which greatly affects the electrostatic distribution of this type of {ZnII2DyIII} single-ion magnets (SIMs). The results offer a model for further investigating structural factors in the relaxation mechanism of SIM systems.