Single-ion Magnets Research Articles

Slow magnetic relaxation of a {MnIIINaI}n zig-zag chain based single ion magnet

The synthesis using organic Schiff base ligands H2valen, and organic sulfonate ligands Na(4-HBS) in conjunction with Mn(Ac)3⋅2H2O, produces a one-dimensional coordination polymer with the formula {[Mn(valen)Na(4-HBS)2]⋅2CH3OH}n(1) [H2valen=6,6′-((1E,1′E)-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(2-methoxyphenol); Na(4-HBS)= Sodium 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that complex 1 consist of neutral chains with one [Mn(valen)Na]2+ and two 4-HBS−moieties, in which the Mn(III) adopts an elongated octahedral geometry and Na(I) adopts a distorted pentagonal pyramid geometry, respectively. Magnetic investigations indicate the important magnetic anisotropy in the six-coordinated Mn(III) with the zero-field splitting parameter D = -3.2 cm−1. AC measurements suggest that complex 1 displays characteristics of slow magnetic relaxation under a 2000 Oe DC field, indicative of single ion magnet (SIM) behaviour. The effective energy barriers and the pre-exponential factor for complex 1 are determined to be 10.5 cm−1, and 1.36 × 10−7 s, respectively. This research reports not only a rare Mn(III) SIM molecular complex but also provide a potential approach to construct SIM chains.

Formation of a single-ion magnet in the lanthanum calcium silicate apatite structure by the cobalt oxide doping

A small amount of cobalt was incorporated into the lanthanum calcium silicate apatite structure by annealing at 1500 °C in argon. The compound exhibits easy-axis magnetic anisotropy with a zero-field splitting parameter 2D of −60 cm−1 and field- induced slow relaxation of magnetization with a remagnetization energy barrier of 58–63 cm−1. Thereby, for the first time, a cobalt-based single-ion magnet was created in silicate.

Aggregation‐induced suppression of quantum tunneling by manipulating intermolecular arrangements of magnetic dipoles

AbstractThe relaxation time under zero field reflects the memory retention capabilities of single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) when used as storage devices. Intermolecular magnetic dipole interaction is ubiquitous in aggregates of magnetic molecules and can greatly influence relaxation times. However, such interaction is often considered harmful and challenging to manipulate in molecular solids, especially for high‐performance lanthanide single‐ion magnets (SIMs). By an elaborately designed combination of ion pairing and hydrogen bonding, we have synthesized two pseudo‐D5h SIMs with supramolecular arrangements of magnetic dipoles in staggered and side‐by‐side patterns, the latter of which exhibits a 104‐fold slower zero‐field relaxation time at 2 K. Intriguingly, the side‐by‐side complex exhibits a significantly accelerated magnetic relaxation upon diamagnetic dilution, contrary to the general trend observed in the staggered complex. This strongly reveals the presence of aggregation‐induced suppression of quantum tunneling in a side‐by‐side arrangement, which has not been observed in mononuclear SMMs. By leveraging ion‐pairing aggregation and converting to a side‐by‐side pattern, this study successfully demonstrates an approach to transform a harmful intermolecular dipole interaction into a beneficial one, achieving a τQTM of 980 s ranking among the best‐performance SMMs.

Rapid and Accurate Prediction of the Axial Magnetic Anisotropy in Cobalt(II) Complexes Using a Machine-Learning Approach.

Estimating the magnetic anisotropy for single-ion magnets is complex due to its multireference nature. This study demonstrates that deep neural networks (DNNs) can provide accurate axial magnetic anisotropy (D) values, closely matching the complete-active-space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) quality using density functional theory (DFT) data. We curated an 86-parameter database (UFF1) with electronic data from over 33000 cobalt(II) compounds. The DNN achieved an R2 of 0.906 and a mean absolute error of 18.1 cm-1 in comparison to reference CASSCF D values. Remarkably, it is 11 times more accurate than DFT methods and 7700 times faster. This approach hints at DNNs predicting the anisotropy in larger molecules, even when trained on smaller ligands.

Desolvation-induced magnetic switching from single-ion magnetism to spin-crossover in a halogen-functionalized cobalt(II) complex

The switching between spin-crossover (SCO) and single-ion magnet (SIM) are fascinating because the process provides potential in-depth understating of different bistability. Herein, we present a rare example of the desolvation-induced magnetic switching from single-ion magnetism to SCO between a halogen-functionalized cobalt(II) complex, [Co(Brphtpy)2](PF6)2·2MeOH (Brphtpy = 4′-(4-Bromophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′'-terpyridine, 1·2MeOH) and its desolvated material of [Co(Brphtpy)2](PF6)2 (1). The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and variable-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction results show a high spin state of the Co(II) ions in 1·2MeOH. At lower temperature, frequency- and temperature-dependent slow magnetic relaxation behaviors were evidenced under an applied dc field of 1000Oe, originating from the easy-plane magnetic anisotropy (D=43.5 cm−1) of Co(II) ions. After the release of methanol molecules, interestingly, the desovated material 1 display a complete and cooperative two-step spin transitions with transition temperatures being 350 and 125K. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements support the stepwise SCO behavior and reveal the related ΔH and ΔS.

Field-induced Co(II) single-ion magnet in octahedral [S6] coordination environment

The soft donor ligands are of great importance to the pursuit of 3d transition-metal complexes with large magnetic anisotropy. Herein, a soft tripodal ligand, hydrotris(mercaptobenzothiazolyl)borate (Tbz) was used to construct a high-spin mononuclear complex [CoII(Tbz)2] (1), having an octahedral geometry in an S6 donor set. The combination of direct-current (dc) magnetic susceptibility and Low-temperature high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) reveals the easy-axis magnetic anisotropy of 1. Complex 1 shows field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization at an applied magnetic field of 1000 Oe, indicating the behavior of single-molecule magnet. The foregoing result constitutes the first instance of Co(II)-based single-ion magnet containing a CoS6 unit.

A cobalt(II) hydrogen-bonded organic framework exhibiting uniaxial negative thermal expansion and field-induced slow magnetic relaxation

The magnetic and thermal expansion properties of a cobalt(II) hydrogen-bonded organic framework (CoHOF), [Co(H2O)6](NPS)2 (1, HNPS = naphthalene-2-sulphonic acid), constructed by hexaaquacobalt(II) and organsulfonate were reported. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals a porous 2D hydrogen-bonded framework of 1 sustained by multiple and charge-assisted intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. Variable-temperature single-crystal combined with powder X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analyses confirms the high thermal stability of the CoHOF. The dynamic changes of the crystal lattice indicate uniaxial negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior along the c-axis direction through a possible slippage motion. Magnetic measurements indicate the Co2+ ions show uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with D = −92.5 cm−1. A.C. susceptibility measurements reveal field-driven slow magnetic relaxation of 1. These results provide a rare cobalt(II) hydrogen-bonded organic framework showing single-ion magnetism and negative thermal expansion properties.

Photoresponsive Magnetic Relaxation Behavior of a Highly Stable π···π Interaction-Stacked Framework Based on a DyIII Single-Ion Magnet

Endowing lanthanide single-ion magnets (Ln-SIMs) with high stability and stimulus responsiveness is of significance for the practical applications of these novel magnetic materials, but still of challenge at present. Herein, we report on a highly stable and photoresponsive Ln-SIM system achieved by designing and synthesizing a π···π interaction-stacked framework based on DyIII-SIM (πOF-1). Its molecular formula is [Dy(thqa)] (H3thqa = tris[(8-hydroxyquinoline-2-yl)methylene]amino). Each of its C3-symmetric molecules consists of a thqa3– ligand and a DyIII ion, and it is linked to three neighbors by intermolecular π···π interactions, forming a supermolecular two-dimensional (2D) honeycombed topology. Such unique structure endows πOF-1 with not only air and thermal stability but also excellent chemical stability in different solvents, even in alkali solutions, including a 20 M NaOH aqueous solution. Dual magnetic relaxation behavior was observed in πOF-1. Magnetic dilution revealed that it is related to π···π-mediated intermolecular magnetic interactions. More significantly, both the static magnetic susceptibility and the dual-relaxation behavior of πOF-1 show response to photoirradiation, which could be ascribed to the photo-triggered intermolecular π → π* charge transfer (CT). So far as we know, πOF-1 could be the first Ln-SIM system possessing both a high stability and photoresponsiveness, and also the first photoresponsive Ln-SIM supermolecular system that does not rely on the single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) structural transformation. Its successful design and synthesis suggests that the introduction of π···π interactions can be a new strategy to fabricate stable and/or photoresponsive Ln-SIMs.

From geometric to charge-distribution symmetry: deeper insights into lifting the performance of dysprosium single-ion magnets

From geometric to charge-distribution symmetry: deeper insights into lifting the performance of dysprosium single-ion magnets

Fluxionality Modulating the Magnetic Anisotropy in Lanthanoarene [(ηCnRn)2Ln(II/III)] (n = 4-8) Single-Ion Magnets.

Lanthanoarenes have emerged as the best bet for the futuristic application of single-ion magnets in information storage devices. While dysprosocenium molecules with various substituents at the arene ring exhibit a very large blocking temperature, the corresponding Er(III) analogues do not, and this is reversed if the size of the arene ring is eight. Using a combination of ab initio CASSCF and DFT-based molecular dynamics (MD) study, we have explored 25 Dy(III)/Er(III)/Ho(II)/Tb(II)/Dy(II) arene complexes with the ring size varying from 4 to 8 to understand the differences observed and decipher the correlation of structure to the spin dynamics behavior. Among the oxidation state of +2 complexes studied, Tb(II) exhibits the highest barrier, with the Cp-Tb-Cp angle being linear. Further, one of the four-membered arene model studied exhibits a very large barrier of 1442 cm-1, suggesting a potential high-blocking SIM. While bulky substituents at the arene ring help increase the axiality and the CR-Ln-CR angle, this also fetches several agostic C-H···Ln interactions, which injects transverse anisotropy. Furthermore, MD coupled with the CASSCF study reveals that the fluxional behavior of the arene ring generates several rotational conformers that are even accessible at lower temperatures offering a shortcut to the magnetization relaxation process. The importance of structural fluctuations in controlling the magnetic anisotropy by choosing apt metal-ion/ring partners and the corresponding substituents has been highlighted to offer clues to the futuristic SIM design.

Perfluoroalkyl Chain Length Effect on Crystal Packing and [LnO8] Coordination Geometry in Lanthanide-Lithium β-Diketonates: Luminescence and Single-Ion Magnet Behavior.

Functionalized perfluoroalkyl lithium β-diketonates (LiL) react with lanthanide(III) salts (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) in methanol to give heterobimetallic Ln-Li complexes of general formula [(LnL3)(LiL)(MeOH)]. The length of fluoroalkyl substituent in ligand was found to affect the crystal packing of complexes. Photoluminescent and magnetic properties of heterobimetallic β-diketonates in the solid state are reported. The effect of the geometry of the [LnO8] coordination environment of heterometallic β-diketonates on the luminescent properties (quantum yields, phosphorescence lifetimes for Eu, Tb, Dy complexes) and single-ion magnet behavior (Ueff for Dy complexes) is revealed.

Field-Induced Single-Ion Magnet Behavior in Nickel(II) Complexes with Functionalized 2,2':6'-2″-Terpyridine Derivatives: Preparation and Magneto-Structural Study.

Two mononuclear nickel(II) complexes of the formula [Ni(terpyCOOH)2](ClO4)2∙4H2O (1) and [Ni(terpyepy)2](ClO4)2 MeOH (2) [terpyCOOH = 4'-carboxyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine and terpyepy = 4'-[(2-pyridin-4-yl)ethynyl]-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine] have been prepared and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are mononuclear compounds, where the nickel(II) ions are six-coordinate by the six nitrogen atoms from two tridentate terpy moieties. The mean values of the equatorial Ni-N bond distances [2.11(1) and 2.12(1) Å for Ni(1) at 1 and 2, respectively, are somewhat longer than the axial ones [2.008(6) and 2.003(6) Å (1)/2.000(1) and 1.999(1) Å (2)]. The values of the shortest intermolecular nickel-nickel separation are 9.422(1) (1) and 8.901(1) Å (2). Variable-temperature (1.9-200 K) direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 reveal a Curie law behavior in the high-temperature range, which corresponds to magnetically isolated spin triplets, the downturn of the χMT product at lower temperatures being due to zero-field splitting effects (D). Values of D equal to -6.0 (1) and -4.7 cm-1 (2) were obtained through the joint analysis of the magnetic susceptibility data and the field dependence of the magnetization. These results from magnetometry were supported by theoretical calculations. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 2.0-5.5 K show the occurrence of incipient out-phase signals under applied dc fields, a phenomenon that is characteristic of field-induced Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior, which herein concerns the 2 mononuclear nickel(II) complexes. This slow relaxation of the magnetization in 1 and 2 has its origin in the axial compression of the octahedral surrounding at their nickel(II) ions that leads to negative values of D. A combination of an Orbach and a direct mechanism accounts for the field-dependent relation phenomena in 1 and 2.

Ultrafast Jahn-Teller Photoswitching in Cobalt Single-Ion Magnets.

Single-ion magnets (SIMs) constitute the ultimate size limit in the quest for miniaturizing magnetic materials. Several bottlenecks currently hindering breakthroughs in quantum information and communication technologies could be alleviated by new generations of SIMs displaying multifunctionality. Here, ultrafast optical absorption spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy are employed to track the photoinduced spin-state switching of the prototypical complex [Co(terpy)2 ]2+ (terpy=2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) in solution phase. The combined measurements and their analysis supported by density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent-DFT (TD-DFT) and multireference quantum chemistry calculations reveal that the complex undergoes a spin-state transition from a tetragonally elongated doublet state to a tetragonally compressed quartet state on the femtosecond timescale, i.e., it sustains ultrafast Jahn-Teller (JT) photoswitching between two different spin multiplicities. Adding new Co-based complexes as possible contenders in the search for JT photoswitching SIMs will greatly widen the possibilities for implementing magnetic multifunctionality and eventually controlling ultrafast magnetization with optical photons.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Luminescence Properties in Tetra β-Diketonate Lanthanide(III) Complexes

The reaction of [Ln(btfa)3(H2O)2] (btfa- = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedionate) with additional 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione (Hbtfa) and acridine (Acr) in ethanol allows the isolation of the mononuclear compounds HAcr[Nd(btfa)4]·EtOH, (1) and HAcr[Ln(btfa)4], Ln = Dy (2) and Yb (3); HAcr+ = acridinium cation. Magnetic measurements indicate that complexes 1–3 show field-induced single-ion magnet behavior with anisotropy energy barriers and preexponential factors of Ueff = 20.7 cm−1, τ0 = 24.5 × 10−8 s; Ueff = 40.5 cm−1, τ0 = 8.6 × 10−10 s and Ueff = 22.7 cm−1, τ0 = 8.4 × 10−8 s, for 1–3 respectively. The solid-state luminescence emission in the NIR region shows efficient energy transfer from the 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedionate ligands to the central Ln3+ ion in the case of compounds 1 and 3.

A Chain of Vertex-Sharing {CoIII2CoII2}n Squares with Single-Ion Magnet Behavior

A new mixed-valence one-dimensional coordination polymer of formula {[CoII(MeOH)2][(μ-NC)2CoIII(dmphen)(CN)2]2}n·2nH2O (1) was obtained by reacting the Ph4P[CoII(dmphen)(CN)3] metalloligand (dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and Ph4P+ = tetraphenylphosphonium ion) with cobalt(II) acetate tetrahydrate. The structural analysis shows the formation of a neutral 4,2-ribbon-like chain of vertex-sharing cyanido-bridged {CoIII2CoII2} squares in which the metalloligand underwent an oxidation process and a reorganization to form {CoIII(dmphen)(CN)4}− linkers that coordinate to the [CoII(MeOH)2]2+ units through single cyanido ligands. Both cobalt(II) and Co(III) cations are six-coordinated in distorted octahedral environments. The shortest intrachain distance between the paramagnetic cobalt(II) ions is 7.36 Å, a value which is shorter than the shortest interchain one (10.36 Å). Variable-temperature (1.9–300 K) static (dc) magnetic measurements for 1 indicate the occurrence of magnetically isolated high-spin cobalt(II) ions with a D value of +67.0 cm−1. Dynamic alternating current (ac) magnetic measurements between 2.0–13 K reveal that 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation under non-zero applied dc fields, being thus a new example of field-induced SIM with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy. Theoretical calculations by CASSCF/NEVPT2 on 1 support the results from magnetometry. The relaxation of the magnetization occurs in the ground state under external dc fields through a two-phonon Raman process and one intra-Kramers mechanism.

Creation of a Field-Induced Co(II) Single-Ion Magnet by Doping into a Zn(II) Diamagnetic Metal-Organic Framework.

The combination of single-ion magnets (SIMs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is expected to produce new quantum materials. The principal issue to be solved in this regard is the development of new strategies for the synthesis of SIM-MOFs. This work demonstrates a new simple strategy for the synthesis of SIM-MOFs where a diamagnetic MOF is used as the framework into which the SIM sites are doped. 1, 0.5, and 0.2 mol% of the Co(II) ions are doped into the Zn(II) sites of [CH6 N3 ][ZnII (HCOO)3 ]. The doped Co(II) sites in the MOFs perform as SIM with a positive D term of zero-field splitting. The longest magnetic relaxation time is 150ms (0.2 mol% Co) at 1.8 K under a static field of 0.1 T. Temperature dependency of the relaxation time suggests suppressing magnetic relaxation by reduction of spin-spin interaction upon doping in the rigid framework. Thus, this work represents a proof of concept for the creation of a single-ion doped magnet in the MOF. This simple synthetic strategy will be widely applied for the creation of quantum magnetic materials.

Adaptability to Crystal Fields in a Series of COT/Monodentate Ligand-Based Dy and Er Single Ion Magnets

Herein, DyIII and ErIII, the typical oblate and prolate Kramers Ln ions, were employed to synthesize a series of isostructural pairs: 2-5Ln (Ln = Dy and Er). In the [(COT)Ln(THF)4]+ cationic fragments of 2Ln, central ions were coordinated by the equatorial ligand cyclooctatetraenyl (COT) and THF solvents, while in the heteroleptic complexes 3Ln ((COT)Ln(OAr')), 4Ln ((COT)Ln(OAr″)), and 5Ln ((COT)Ln(N††)), the coordination geometries were formed by the cooperation of COT and bulky aryloxides OAr' (2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl), OAr″ (2,6-bis(1-adamantyl)-4-methylphenyl), and amide N†† (bis(triisopropylsilyl) amide) for 3Ln, 4Ln, and 5Ln, respectively. Among these complexes, with the combinations of varying coordination geometries and different anisotropies of f orbitals, 2Er, 3Dy, and 4Dy were found to be zero-field SIMs with effective energy barriers of 181.9, 527.7, and 622.0 K, respectively, which are consistent with the structural analyses and ab initio calculations. The blocking temperatures (TB) of 3Dy and 4Dy are 4 and 7 K, respectively, as confirmed by the hysteresis loops at varying temperatures. The structures of 5Ln exhibit an almost perfect umbrella-shaped geometry, characterized by N-Ln-Centroid (COT) angles measuring 178.9 and 179.3° for 5Dy and 5Er, respectively. Crystallographic data from these structures were utilized to investigate the impact of ligand alignment on the magnetic properties of the compounds.

Single-Ion Magnetism in a Three-Dimensional Thiocyanate-Bridged Dysprosium(III) Framework

New three-dimensional (3D) lanthanide framework compounds supported by bridging thiocyanate ligand and K+ cations, K4[Ln(NCS)4(H2O)4](NCS)3(H2O)2(1: Ln = Dy, 2: Ln = Tb, 3: Ln = Gd) have been synthesized. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study showed that all three compounds were isostructural and crystallized in the I 2/a space group. The K+ ion form 2D layers with thiocyanates which are further linked by [Ln(NCS)4(H2O)4]- complexes and additional thiocyanate ions to generate an interesting 3D framework structure. Compound 1 shows slow magnetic relaxation behavior under a zero direct current (DC) field, indicating that 1 behaves as a single-ion magnet (SIM). As estimated from AC magnetic measurements, the effective energy barrier for spin reversal in 1 was Ueff = 42 cm–1. Slow relaxation of magnetization under a small external DC field was also detected for 2 and 3 at 1.8 K.

Spin noise in Er3+ single-ion magnets surrounded by ferromagnetic microparticles

Ferromagnetic microparticles significantly affect spin relaxation in the Er3+ single-ion magnet sandwiched in a composite material. The balance of thermal spin noise corresponding to Orbach, Raman, quantum tunneling, and direct relaxation channels is shifted in Er3+ complexes under the influence of surrounding ferromagnetic matrix. There are two competing sources of the electron spin noise controlled by ferromagnetic media. First, internal residual magnetic field delays spin relaxation in the Er3+ complexes due to the Zeeman interaction of the Er3+ spin even in the absence of external magnetic field. Second, chemical bonding between the Er 4d shell and the O 1s shell accelerates magnetic relaxation in the Er3+ ions on the surface of microparticles. Significance of these results is that composite media can be sliced into small elements with a variable frequency of spin noise depending on individual magnetization programmed within each element.

A spherical capped square antiprismatic DyIII complex encapsulated three acylhydrazone Schiff base ligands behaving field-induced single-ion magnet behaviour

One mononuclear DyIII based complex, [Dy(L)3]·0·25H2O (1) (HL= N'-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)pyridine-2-carbohydrazonamide) has been successfully synthesized and systematically characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group P/21. The nine-coordinated DyIII ion in 1 adopts distorted spherical capped square antiprism configuration (C4v-CSAPR) with three tridentate coordination pockets. In addition, the alternating-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility investigations show that 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior under an applied 1000 Oe field with effective energy barrier (Ueff) of 83.10 K. To understand the magnetic behaviour in depth, the magnetic axes and magneto-structural correlations are analyzed to reveal that the coordination of three ligands effectively enhances the axiality of the nine-coordinated mononuclear DyIII complexes, thereby exhibiting the slow magnetic relaxation behaviour. This work provides a strategy to effectively improve the performance of single-ion magnets (SIMs) by introducing more ligands around the DyIII ion, and regularizing the coordination configuration of the DyIII ion towards an axial-type structure.