Issue 11, 2021

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

Abstract

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 (Ueff) of 1069(129)/1160(21), 1015(32), 1109(70), and 757(39) K, respectively, thus 2Dy–4Dy join a privileged group of SMMs with Ueff 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 Ueff 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 Ueff barrier and axial linearity in structurally comparable systems.

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

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
13 1月 2021
Accepted
01 3月 2021
First published
02 3月 2021
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 3911-3920

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

L. R. Thomas-Hargreaves, M. J. Giansiracusa, M. Gregson, E. Zanda, F. O'Donnell, A. J. Wooles, N. F. Chilton and S. T. Liddle, Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 3911 DOI: 10.1039/D1SC00238D

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