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Comprehensive Summary: The reaction of DyCl3⋅6H2O with a rigid diacylhydrazone ligand (H2L) afforded a trinuclear precursor [Dy3L2Cl3(H2O)2(CH3OH)]Cl2⋅3CH3OH (1). The replacement of the Cl– ions and the coordinating solvents by the aryloxides ligands (Lx)– yields three trinuclear complexes [Dy3L2(Lx)5]⋅nsol (x = 1,2‐naphthol (2); x = 2,7‐hydroxycoumarin (3); and x = 3, phenol (4)). In complexes 2—4, two end Dy3+ centers adopt almost identical N4O4 coordination sphere of D6h geometry while the central one adopts N4O5 coordination sphere in Cs geometry. Magnetic measurements reveal weak antiferromagnetic interactions in the hydrated samples 2e—4e and two‐step slow relaxation process under zero dc field with effective energy barriers Ueff of 439 and 91 K, 353 and 40 K, 466 and 89 K for SR and FR in 2e—4e, respectively. Such dynamic magnetic behaviour for 4 persists in the magnetically diluted sample of 4@Y. Complex 4 possesses the short Dy‐Oaryloxide bond distance of 2.055(18) Å, and the largest Ueff among the reported linear trinuclear dysprosium complexes. Moreover, the functionalized aryloxides ligands (Lx)– show photoluminescence via intramolecular energy transfer, making 2e—4e luminescent Dy3+ SMMs with high energy barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete-active-space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations combined with different active spaces have been performed on four novel two-coordinate Co(II) imido complexes with the [CoN]+ core for the short Co＝N bond. The computational demand of the selected CAS (11, 8) for all complexes is acceptable, and it also gives the most accurate results compared with the experiments. CAS (11, 8) calculations show that shortening the Co＝N bond would result in the decrease of the total orbital angular momentum L, and then the weakening of the spin–orbit coupling interaction. However, the energy level splittings for different Co＝N bonds are almost close to each other due to the continuously increasing crystal field around Co(II). Thus, the decrease of the axial symmetry is the most important factor on the lower energy barriers for two-coordinate Co(II) imido complexes with shorter Co＝N bonds. Breaking the [CoN]+ core through lengthening the Co＝N bonds for two-coordinate Co-based complexes is a good choice to enhance the energy barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modular construction method provides a feasible way to construct pre-designed cyano-bridged {LnIIIMIV/V} systems with more attractive structures and adjustable interactions between 4d/5d and 4f ions. In this work, the pentadentate Schiff-base ligands H2Ln (H2L1: 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(nicotinoylhydrazone); H2L2: 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(isonicotinoylhydrazone)) with multiple coordination sites were designed to coordinate with DyIII ions firstly, and then combined with K4M(CN)8·2H2O (M = W, Mo) by a liquid–liquid diffusion method to successfully synthesize two trinuclear structures {Dy[MIV(CN)8]0.5(HL1)(H2O)3}2·8H2O (1: M = W; 2: M = Mo), and two dinuclear structures {[Dy[MIV(CN)8](H3L2)(H2O)3]}·sol (3: M = W, sol = 11.5H2O; 4: M = Mo, sol = 2CH3OH·9.5H2O). Interestingly, deprotonation occurs in ligand H2L1 during the formation of complexes 1 and 2, while deprotonation/protonation processes both occur in ligand H2L2 during the synthesis of complexes 3 and 4. Magnetic analyses reveal that complexes 1–4 are all field-induced single-ion magnets (SIMs). The energy barriers (Ueff/kB) of complexes 1 and 2 are 92.83 K and 101.08 K, respectively, which are nearly three-fold higher than those of complexes 3 (30.19 K) and 4 (32.77 K). Ab initio calculations were performed on these series of {LnIIIMIV} heteronuclear complexes to provide more insights into the magnetic relaxation properties. This work provides another example of improving the SMM behaviors of cyano-bridged {LnIIIMIV} systems by deprotonation/protonation at different sites in the ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complexation of dysprosium(III) ions with a multidentate hydrazone ligand, N-[(E)-pyridin-2-ylmethylideneamino]pyridine-2-carboxamide (L), in the presence of different β-diketonate coligands, leads to the formation of two novel DyIII dimers, with formulas Dy2(BTFA)4(L)2 (1) and Dy2(TTA)4(L)2 (2) (BTFA = 3-benzoyl-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone and TTA = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedionate). They exhibit slightly different coordination geometries around DyIII centers and discrepant binuclear motifs – as a result of altering the β-diketonate coligands – which has an impact on the magnetic interactions between metal centers, the local tensor of anisotropy on each DyIII site and their relative orientations, therefore contributing to distinct magnetization dynamics. Compared to 2, complex 1 exhibits a more significant slow magnetic relaxation of SMM behavior in the absence of a dc field. The QTM effect is effectively repressed under a static field, resulting in the energy barriers of 57 K for 1 and 38 K for 2. Ab initio calculations clarify that, strong single-ion magnetic anisotropies exist in both complexes, whereas intermetallic ferromagnetic interaction and antiferromagnetic interaction are observed in 1 and 2, respectively, therefore resulting in dissimilar magnetization dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel Zn2Dy2 Schiff base cluster complexes composed of [DyZn2(salen)2Cl2]+ and [Dy(bpdc)2]− complex-fragment building blocks (bpdc2− = 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate) have been prepared, which exhibit interesting T-shaped metal cores and ferromagnetic interactions. Two-step magnetic relaxation was observed under a 1500 Oe dc field for both cluster complexes, and their effective energy barrier can be regulated by the bis-imine chain in the Schiff base. Complex 1, [Dy2Zn2(La)2(bpdc)2Cl2)]·3MeOH [H2La = N,N′- bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane], has the Ueff/k value of 20.2(0.3) K and the τ0 value of 6.7(0.2) × 10−8 s for the fast relaxation (FR) phase as well as the Ueff/k value of 243.2(4.9) K and the τ0 value of 6.0(0.3) × 10−10 s for the slow relaxation (SR) phase; while complex 2, [Dy2Zn2(Lb)2(bpdc)2Cl2)]·MeOH·H2O [H2Lb = N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane], possesses the Ueff/k value of 22.0(0.4) K and the τ0 value of 4.6(0.1) × 10−8 s for the FR phase as well as the Ueff/k value of 205.7(4.4) K and the τ0 value of 1.7(0.2) × 10−9 s for the SR phase. Furthermore, the two complexes exhibit dual emission centered on not only the lanthanide(III) ion but also the ligand in the visible region, of which the metal-centered emission is closely related to the length of the bis-imine chain on the salen ligand. The average fluorescence lifetime (τ) of 1 (10.6 ns) is an order of magnitude longer than that of 2 (0.86 ns). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of two isomorphic ligands with different substituents leads to two centrosymmetric DyIII dimers, namely, [Dy2(bfbpen)2(H2O)2]·2I− (1) and [Dy2(bcbpen)2(H2O)2]·2I−·0.5H2O (2) (H2bfbpen = N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-fluoro-benzyl)-N,N′-bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine and H2bcbpen = N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-chloro-benzyl)-N,N′-bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine). Although Dy ions in both compounds uniformly exhibit a square-antiprism geometry, the critical difference found in the terminal substituents of the two ligands fine-tunes the local crystal field around Dy centers and the dinuclear molecular structures of 1 and 2. Magnetic investigations unveil that both 1 and 2 display dynamic magnetic relaxation of single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with different energy barriers of 20.9 K for 1 and 72.7 K for 2 under a zero direct-current (dc) field, as well as 26.9 K for 1 under a 1200 Oe dc field. Compared to 1, the stronger uniaxial anisotropy and magnetic exchange in 2 render it a better SMM as evidenced by the higher energy barrier. Ab initio calculations are also performed on both Dy2 compounds to rationalize the observed discrepancy in their magnetic behaviours. The contribution illustrates that the SMM behaviour could be effectively enhanced by means of deliberate local structural manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two dysprosium complexes bearing unsupported Dy–Ge/Sn metal–metal bonds are reported here, wherein the Dy–Ge and Dy–Sn bonds both contain relatively large covalency. The complexes exhibit slow relaxation of magnetization at zero field with energy barriers of 485 and 620 K, respectively, and the blocking temperature of 6 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel Co–Dy heterometallic complexes, namely, [Co III2 Dy III2 (HL)L{(py)2CO2}{(py)2C(OCH3)O}(NO3)4CH3OH]·2CH3CN·2.5H2O (1, H3L = 2-((2-hydroxy-benzylidene)amino)propane-1,3-diol, (py)2C(OH)2 = the gem-diol form of di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk) and (py)2C(OCH3)OH = the hemiacetal form of dpk) and [CoIII{(py)2C(OH)O}2][Co II2 Dy III4 DyIII(HL)4(L)4]·3CH3CN·15H2O (2), have been obtained by employing H3L, dpk and Dy(NO3)3·5H2O reacting with Co(NO3)2·6H2O or anhydrous Co(CH3CO2)2 in the solutions of CH3OH and CH3CN (V/V = 1/20) containing N(Me)4OH·5H2O or triethylamine. Structural analysis indicated that two DyIII and two CoIII in 1 formed a star-like topology, while the metal ions in [Co II2 Dy III4 DyIII(HL)4(L)4]− of 2 formed a cross-shaped topology, in which one DyIII and two CoII formed a linear Co II2 DyIII paramagnetic unit. Interestingly, the paramagnetic Co II2 DyIII units in 2 were isolated not only by four diamagnetic CoIII in the [Co II2 Dy III4 DyIII(HL)4(L)4]−, but also by the diamagnetic [CoIII{(py)2C(OH)O}2]+. More interestingly, the distortion of the square antiprism (SAP-8) coordination geometry of DyIII in 2 can be ascribed to the presence of four long Dy–O bonds and four short Dy–O bonds, which could result from the discrepancies of the polarization of CoII and CoIII. Magnetic studies indicated that 1 exhibit two types of magnetic relaxation behavior, in which the magnetic relaxation of the fast relaxation (FR) phase is mainly governed by QTM, while that of the slow relaxation (SR) phase is mainly governed by Orbach and Raman processes with an effective energy barrier (Ueff) value of 59.4(9) K. To our knowledge, the Ueff value is relatively high among the reported CoIII–DyIII heterometallic complexes. For 2, it only shows slow relaxation behavior with a Ueff of 6.43 K. Ab initio calculations revealed that the SR phase and FR phase are governed by the magnetic relaxation of Dy2 and Dy1, respectively, though the axial symmetry of Dy2 (muffin, Cs) is lower than that of Dy1 (triangular dodecahedron, D2d). However, for 2, the theoretical calculations indicated that the severely compressed SAP-8 geometry of DyIII leads to a relatively low Ueff value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complexes α-Dy(depma)3Cl3 (α-DyCl), β-Dy(depma)3Cl3 (β-DyCl) and β-Dy(depma)3Br3 (β-DyBr) (depma = 9-diethylphosphono-methylanthracene) are reported. α-DyCl and β-DyCl are polymorphs showing distinct magnetic dynamics with energy barriers of 32.3 K and 66.6 K. They also show distinct luminescence properties with emission peaks at 487 nm and 530 nm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two lanthanide single-molecule magnets (SMMs) [Dy3(μ3-OH)(HL-1)3(H2O)3](NO3)2·3H3O (1, H3L-1 = (E)-3-(((8-hydroxyquinolin-2-yl)methylene)amino)propane-1,2-diol) and [Dy6(μ3-OH)4(H2L-2)4(HL-2)2(L-2)2] (2, H3L-2 = (E)-2-hydroxy-N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide) were synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. Complex 1 contains a triangular Dy3 core in which the three Dy3+ ions share a μ3-OH− anion and the deprotonated ligands of (HL-1)2− serve both capping and bridging functions, while 2 displays a centrosymmetric hexanuclear DyIII structure with two similar Dy3 triangular cores ligated by two fully deprotonated (L-2)3− ligands, each of which shares two μ3-OH− anions. All the DyIII ions are eight-coordinated with quasi D2d or C2v symmetry. Magnetic studies reveal that 1 exhibited two-step magnetic relaxation under an applied dc field of 800 Oe, with effective energy barriers of 40.1 and 31.0 K for the slow relaxation (SR) and fast relaxation regimes (FR), respectively. Meanwhile, 2 only showed a tail of slow magnetic relaxation at above 2 K. Ab initio calculations have been carried out to show the nature of their different magnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a β-diketiminate ligand, an iron(III) tetrahedral high-spin complex, [LFeIII(Cl)2] (1), and an iron(II) high-spin triangular planar complex, [LFeIICl] (2), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Also, complex 1 can be considered as a precursor to produce 2via a reduction process, with a concomitant change in its magnetic anisotropy. Combined experiments and ab initio calculations support the observation of field-induced single-ion magnet (SIM) behaviour for 2 with an effective spin-reversal energy barrier of Ueff = 40.02 K, as a direct consequence of the large intrinsic magnetic anisotropy (easy axis) arising from out-of-state spin-orbit coupling in the trigonal planar FeII complex. Noteworthy butterfly hysteresis loops were observed from 2 up to 8 K, which represents the first case in Fe(II) complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two β-Diketiminate cobalt(II) compounds of formula [LCo(μ-Cl)]2·2C6H14 (1) and [LCoClPy]·0.5C7H8·0.5C6H14 (2) (L = [PhC-(PhCN-Dip)2]−, Dip = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a dinuclear structure, whereas 2 is a mononuclear structure having a pyridine ligand. The tetra-coordinate CoII centers in both compounds show distorted tetrahedral geometry configuration. Magnetic measurements reveal that only 2 exhibits field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization with an effective spin-reversal energy barrier of 16.27 K, though large easy-axis magnetic anisotropies for both compounds are unveiled by the analysis of ab initio calculations. Dimeric Co–Co units in 1 indicate intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction. Compared to individual CoII fragment of 1, the first excited quartet state of 2 is strongly destabilized, leading to a smaller unquenched orbital angular momentum and D value. The comprehensive factors above are responsible for the difference in the magnetic behavior between 1 and 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of linear sandwich single-ion magnets containing [Er(COT)]+ fragment were selected to probe the magneto-structural correlations using ab initio methods. For prolate shaped ErIII ion, an equatorially coordinating geometry is preferable to achieve high axial anisotropy. Our calculations confirm that the increasing transversal crystal field (CF) induced by equatorial ligands truly enhances the energy barrier. However, if we continue to strengthen the transversal CF in the equatorial plane, the energy barrier inversely decreases. Our further results show that a medium ligand ring of benzene is preferable for prolate shaped ErIII ion, which can induce the modest energy splitting and the small temperature-assisted quantum tunneling of magnetization. Although the obtained energy barrier of 343.1 cm−1 for our created model [(C6H6)Er(COT)]+ is the largest, it is also much smaller than the DyIII-based compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dinuclear dysprosium cluster [Dy2(NO3)4(H2O)2(L)2]·2CH3CN was successfully prepared by employing HL (HL = 2,6-dimethoxyphenol) and Dy(NO3)3·6H2O in a mixture of CH3OH and CH3CN. The conversion of this Dy2 compound by reaction with additional deprotonated ligand generated a Dy9 cluster [Dy9(μ4-OH)2(μ3-OH)8(μ2-OCH3)4(NO3)8(H2O)8(L)4](OH)·2H2O with the well-known "diabolo" topology. Magnetic investigation revealed that both of the clusters exhibit typical SMM characteristics, and variable magnetic relaxation with the energy barrier changing from 217.87 K to 9.24 K along with the transition from a dinuclear dysprosium cluster to a nonanuclear one. Ab initio calculations further confirm the corresponding structure–activity relationships that originate the different magnetic behaviours. This design may afford a feasible strategy for modulating the magnetic relaxation dynamics of polynuclear systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of five mononuclear β-diketonate-Dy(III) complexes, with formulas Dy(ntfa)3(Br-bpy) (1), Dy(ntfa)3(Br2-bpy) (2), Dy(ntfa)3(5,5-(CH3)2-bpy) (3), Dy(ntfa)3(4,4-((CH3)3)2-bpy) (4) and Dy(ntfa)3(4,4-(CH3)2-bpy) (5) (ntfa = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedione, Br-bpy = 5-bromo-2,2′-bipyridine, Br2-bpy = 4,4′-dibromo-2,2′-bipyridine, 5,5-(CH3)2-bpy = 5,5′-di-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4-((CH3)3)2-bpy = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine, and 4,4-(CH3)2-bpy = 4,4′-di-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have been prepared by altering the capping N-donor coligands. Dy(III) ions in all complexes possess N2O6 octa-coordinated environments, displaying a distorted square antiprismatic D4d symmetry in complexes 1–4, as well as a triangular dodecahedron D2d symmetry in 5. Magnetic investigations evidence the SIM behavior in the five complexes with the energy barriers (Ueff) of 104.19 K (1), 122.93 K (2), 84.20 K (3), 64.16 K (4) and 80.23 K (5) under zero applied dc field. The potential QTM effects in the title complexes are successfully suppressed in the presence of the extra applied fields. The crystal field parameters and orientations of the magnetic easy axes were obtained from the simulation of the magnetic data and the electrostatic model calculation. The distinct electronic effects originating from the subtle changes of the substituents on the capping N-donor coligands induce varying coordination microenvironments and geometries on the Dy(III) sites, further drastically impacting the overall magnetic properties of the title complexes. The disparities of the uniaxial anisotropy and the magnetic dynamics for 1–5 have been elucidated by ab initio calculations as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four DyIII complexes, [Dy2(NO3)4(L)2(H2O)2]·2MeCN (1), [Dy2(NO3)4(L)2(H2O)2]·2(NO3)·DMBD·2MeOH (2), [Dy2(NO3)4(L)2(TPO)2]·2MeCN (3) and [Dy2(L′)6(H2O)2]·4MeCN (4), were elaborately synthesized, structurally characterized and magnetically investigated (HL = 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, HL′ = 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, DMBD = 1,1′-dimethyl-[4,4′-bipyridine]-1,1′-diium and TPO = phosphine triphenyl oxide). In 1–3, the nearly planar molecular structures consisting of two DyIII ions and two L ligands are almost perpendicular to four nitrate ligands, which provides an opportunity to introduce auxiliary ligands (H2O or TPO) at the terminal position along the Dy⋯Dy orientation of [Dy2]. The slightly discrepant coordination environment around the DyIII ion with different terminal ligands plays a key role in tuning the magnetic anisotropy, and further strongly affects the magnetic properties of 1–4. The magnetic studies reveal that they all behave as single-molecule magnets (SMMs) at zero dc field with ferromagnetic dipole–dipole interaction between DyIII ions. The dynamic magnetic investigations give the energy barriers of 107.5 (1), 127.1 (2), 168.7 (3) and 251.9 K (4), respectively. The magnetic axis orientation of the ground state gradually verges on the Dy–Oaux bond from 1 to 4, leading to the stronger uniaxial anisotropy of DyIII ions and better SMM properties of 3 and 4. In addition, complexes 3 and 4 possess higher energy barriers than reported dinuclear DyIII-SMMs also constructed from HL or HL' with β-diketone. It is believed that the ligands coordinating to the DyIII ion at both terminals of the Dy⋯Dy linkage improve the SMM properties of dinuclear DyIII complexes. This design may provide a new strategy for obtaining dinuclear DyIII-based SMMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the influences of magnetic interactions on the relaxation dynamics of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and to understand the relationship between single-ion relaxation and the relaxation of a molecular entity, it is very important to design dinuclear lanthanide-based SMMs with two-step relaxation processes. Here, three Dy2 complexes of compositions [Dy2(L)2(NO3)2(MeOH)2] (1), [Dy2(L)2(NO3)2(EtOH)2] (2), and [Dy2(L)2(NO3)2(DMF)2]·0.5EtOH (3) (H2L = 2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)imino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol) were successfully synthesized via elaborately introducing different terminal solvent ligands. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses revealed that complexes 1–3 are isostructural. The two DyIII ions of 1 and 2 both adopt D2d symmetry, while the two DyIII centres of 3 display D2d and D4d symmetries, respectively. The magnetic property studies of 1–3 indicated that all three complexes exhibit single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviours with energy barriers of 104 K for 1, 98.94 K for 2, and 76.28 K and 45.54 K for 3 under zero dc field. The target of assembling Dy2 SMMs with two-step relaxation processes was achieved by gradually increasing the sizes of the terminal solvent ligands. Complex 3 exhibits two-step relaxation processes. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were performed on 1–3 to rationalize the observed differences in the magnetic behaviour. It is found that both the angles between the magnetic axis and the vector connecting two DyIII ions and the symmetries of DyIII ions are vital factors that affect the energy barriers of 1–3. The high local symmetries of the central metals in 1 and 2 make the complexes act as SMMs with higher energy barriers, while the smaller angle and different symmetries of the two DyIII ions render complex 3 as a SMM with a two-step relaxation process. This work demonstrates a new methodology for preparing SMMs with two-step relaxation processes by fine-tuning the terminal solvent ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of two Schiff-base ligands H2L1 and H2L2 (H2L1 = 4-chloro-2-(((3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzyl)imino)methyl) phenol, H2L2 = 2-(((3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzyl)imino)methyl)-4-methoxy-phenol) with different substituents at the backbone of phenol in the construction of dinuclear dysprosium single-molecule magnets (SMMs) is reported. Two complexes of formulae [Dy2(L1)2(NO3)2(EtOH)(DMF)]·2EtOH (1) and [Dy2(L2)2(NO3)2(MeOH)2] (2) have been prepared and structurally characterized. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the four DyIII ions of 1 and 2 all adopt NO7 coordination environments. The two DyIII centers of 1 exhibit triangular dodecahedron (D2d) and square antiprism (D4d) geometries, respectively, while the two DyIII sites in 2 both show triangular dodecahedron geometry with D2d symmetry. Magnetic analyses indicated that both complexes display SMM behavior with energy barriers of 86.91 K (1) and 93.70 K (2), respectively. The slight enhancement of the energy barrier of 2 reveals that the coordination geometries of DyIII ions would affect the magnetic behaviors of 1 and 2. Complete Active Space Self-Consistent Field (CASSCF) calculations were conducted for 1 and 2 to illustrate the slight variation of the magnetic behaviors. The calculated results are well consistent with those of the experimental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A β-diketonate mononuclear dysprosium compound, [Dy(DBM)2(bpy)(CH3OH)2]·Cl− (1) (DBM = dibenzoylmethane, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), has been prepared and structurally and magnetically characterized. The metal centers in 1 adopt an approximately square-antiprismatic (SAP) coordination environment with D4d axial symmetry. Magnetic investigations unveil that 1 displays slow magnetic relaxation of SMM behavior with an effective barrier (Ueff) of 25.13 K under a zero dc field as well as 68.30 K in the presence of a 1200 Oe dc field. The comparative studies of some known Dy(III)-based SIMs with DBM ligands show that the energy barriers can be significantly tuned by adjusting the distortion of the SAP configuration on DyIII ions. Ab initio calculations demonstrate that relaxation of the magnetization for 1 mainly takes place via the first excited-state Kramers doublet through Orbach, Raman, and thermally assisted quantum-tunnelling mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) combined with restricted active space spin interaction with spin–orbit coupling (RASSI-SO) was used to probe why single-ion magnets (SIMs) composed of the "prolate" lanthanide ion ErIII cannot possess huge energy barriers. According to the proposal by Long et al., equatorially coordinated ligand environments are preferable for "prolate" lanthanide ions to have large energy barriers. However, our calculations show that the larger gx,y values in the first excited Kramers' doublets (KDs) induced by the surrounding equatorially coordinated ligands lead to their larger transversal magnetic moments which result in fast quantum tunneling of magnetizations (QTMs) in their first excited states. Therefore, the spin-phonon transitions can only proceed from the ground to the first excited KDs for our studied three compounds and all models. However, the effective energy barriers Ueff of the three compounds are smaller than the calculated energy gaps between the lowest two KDs due to their more flexible molecular structures. For the above reason, the energy barriers did not increase continuously as we expected when we decreased the Er–L bond lengths. We deduced that mononuclear ErIII compounds cannot easily possess huge energy barriers through enhancing the surrounding equatorially coordinated ligand field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactions of LnIII ions with a versatile pyridyl-decorated dicarboxylic acid ligand lead to the formation of a series of novel three-dimensional (3D) Ln-MOFs, [Ln3(pta)4(Hpta)(H2O)]·xH2O (Ln = Dy (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), H2pta = 2-(4-pyridyl)-terephthalic acid, x = 6 for 1, 2.5 for 2, 1.5 for 3 and 2 for 4). The Ln3+ ions act as nine-coordinated muffin spheres, linking to each other to generate trinuclear {Ln3(OOC)6N2} SBUs, which are further extended to be interesting 3D topological architectures. To the best of our knowledge, the Dy-MOF exhibits zero-field single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with the largest effective energy barrier among the previously reported 3D MOF-based Dy-SMMs. The combined analyses of a diluted sample (1@Y) and ab initio calculations demonstrate that the thermally assisted slow relaxation is mainly attributed to the single-ion magnetism. Furthermore, fluorescence measurements reveal that H2pta can sensitize EuIII and TbIII characteristic luminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of Dy(NO3)3·6H2O and an asymmetric Schiff-base linker 5-chloro-2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)imino)methyl) phenol (H2L) afforded a dinuclear compound [Dy2L2(HL)(NO3)(EtOH)]·0.5C2H5OH (1). Complex 1 features two inequivalent Dy(III) sites, where three ligand sets (one HL− moiety and two L2− groups) are shared by two Dy(III) ions. The strategic introduction of CH3COOH in the reaction system used for synthesizing 1 induces the replacement of the HL− ligand by the CH3COO− ion, consequently resulting in the generation of [Et3NH][Dy2L2(NO3)(CH3COO)2] (2). In complex 2, two Dy(III) centers adopt NO7 (D2d geometry) and NO6 (C2v) coordination sphere, respectively. DC magnetic susceptibility studies for the two complexes indicate ferromagnetic interactions. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit single-molecule magnet behavior with two-step slow relaxation processes due to the possession of inequivalent metal sites. The energy barriers of 69.19 and 45.73 K for 1, and 92.77 and 72.95 K for 2 are determined. Theoretical calculations reveal that the two-step relaxation processes in both 1 and 2 mainly originate from the single-ion magnetism of two distinct Dy(III) ions with inequivalent coordination environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a multidentate Schiff-base ligand, N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-formylbenzyl)-N,N′-bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine (H2L), two binuclear DyIII compounds, with formulas [Dy2(L)(NO3)3(CH3O)] (1) and [Dy2(L)(NO3)3(CH3CH2O)] (2), have been synthesized under different solvent systems. The DyIII ions in 1 and 2 adopt monocapped square antiprism coordination geometries, while different structural distortions can be observed. The two DyIII ions in 1 and 2 are bridged by two phenoxide atoms of one L2− ligand and one bridged CH3O−/CH3CH2O− oxygen node, leading to an approximate fusiform Dy2O3 core. The different DyIII–Obridged node distances, DyIII–Obridged node–DyIII angles and DyIII⋯DyIII distances can be observed. Magnetic studies reveal that 1 and 2 display slow magnetic relaxation behaviours under a zero direct-current field with the effective energy barriers (Ueff) of 114.17 K and 171.23 K, respectively. Furthermore, compound 2 possesses the highest Ueff in nine-coordinated Dy2 compounds. The M versus H data exhibit weak butterfly-shaped hysteresis loops at 2 K for 2. The rare CH3O−/CH3CH2O−-bridged nine-coordinated binuclear DyIII single-molecule magnets (SMMs) significantly regulate and enhance the Ueff of compounds 1 and 2. To deeply understand their different magnetic behaviours, the magnetic anisotropies and magnetic interactions of 1 and 2 were studied by ab initio calculations. These findings demonstrate an efficient approach for regulating and enhancing the magnetic anisotropy barriers using a bridged CH3O− anion or CH3CH2O− anion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four tetranuclear 3d–4f complexes, namely [Fe2Ln2(L)2(teaH)2(Cl)2](NO3)2·4CH3CN (H2L = N1,N3-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)diethylenetriamine, teaH3 = triethanolamine, Ln = Dy for 1 and Ln = Gd for 1′) and [Co2Ln2(L)2(pdm)2(CH3COO)2(CH3OH)2](NO3)2·xCH3OH·yH2O (pdmH2 = 2,6-pyridinedimethanol, Ln = Dy, x = 5 and y = 2.5 for 2 and Ln = Gd, x = 6 and y = 1.5 for 2′), have been reported. Two FeIII and two DyIII in 1 formed a zigzag Fe1–Dy1–Dy1a–Fe1a arrangement with a Fe1–Dy1–Dy1a angle of 105.328(3)°. However, in contrast to 1, two CoIII and two DyIII ions in 2 formed a more linear Co1–Dy1–Dy1a–Co1a arrangement with a Co1–Dy1–Dy1a angle of 141.86(2)°. Additionally, two DyIII ions in 1 are eight-coordinated with a triangular dodecahedron geometry, while two DyIII ions in 2 adopt nine-coordination with a muffin geometry. Magnetic studies revealed slow magnetic relaxation behavior for 1, with an energy barrier Ea of 6.9 K. For 2, single molecule magnet behavior was presented under a zero dc field with an effective energy barrier Ueff of 64.0(9) K. Ab initio calculations for 1 and 2 indicate that compared to 2, complex 1 has a larger transversal magnetic moment of its ground Kramers doublets (KD) and a larger value of the tunnelling parameter (Δt) for the exchanged coupled ground state, which may result in poor single molecule magnet behavior for 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of 2-ethoxy-6-{[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)imino]methyl}phenol (H2L) as a chelating ligand, in combination with the employment of alcohols (EtOH and MeOH) as auxiliary ligands, in 4 f-metal chemistry afforded two series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes of compositions [Ln2L2(NO3)2(EtOH)2] (Ln=Sm ( 1), Eu ( 2), Gd ( 3), Tb ( 4), Dy ( 5), Ho ( 6), Er ( 7)) and [Ln2L2(NO3)2(MeOH)2] (Ln=Sm ( 8), Eu ( 9), Gd ( 10), Tb ( 11), Dy ( 12), Ho ( 13), Er ( 14)). The structures of 1- 14 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1- 7 are isomorphous. The two lanthanide(III) ions in 1- 7 are doubly bridged by two deprotonated aminophenoxide oxygen atoms of two μ2:η0:η1:η2:η1:η1:η0-L2− ligands. One nitrogen atom, two oxygen atoms of the NO3− anion, two methoxide oxygen atoms of two ligand sets, and one oxygen atom of the terminally coordinated EtOH molecule complete the distorted dodecahedron geometry of each lanthanide(III) ion. Compounds 8- 14 are isomorphous and their structures are similar to those of 1- 7. The slight difference between 1- 7 and 8- 14 stems from purposefully replacing the EtOH ligands in 1- 7 with MeOH in 8- 14. Direct-current magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2-300 K range reveal weak antiferromagnetic interactions for 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, and 14, and ferromagnetic interactions at low temperature for 5, 6, 12, and 13. Complexes 5 and 12 exhibit single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with energy barriers of 131.3 K for 5 and 198.8 K for 12. The energy barrier is significantly enhanced by dexterously regulating the terminal ligands. To rationalize the observed difference in the magnetic behavior, complete-active-space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were performed on two Dy2 complexes. Subtle variation in the angle between the magnetic axes and the vector connecting two dysprosium(III) ions results in a weaker influence on the tunneling gap of individual dysprosium(III) ions by the dipolar field in 12. This work proposes an efficient strategy for synthesizing Dy2 SMMs with high energy barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]