Synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic property study of {CrLn}, Ln = Gd and Dy complexes

• Published in: Dalton transactions : an international journal of inorganic chemistry Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 624 - 637
• Main Authors: Mecchia Ortiz, Juan H, Cabrosi, Daiana, Cruz, Carlos, Paredes-García, Verónica, Alborés, Pablo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 04.01.2022
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Antiferromagnetism; Coordination compounds; Crystallization; Dysprosium; Gadolinium; Magnetic measurement; Magnetic properties; Magnetism; Methyldiethanolamine; Quantum tunnelling; Structural analysis; Temperature dependence; Yttrium
• ISSN: 1477-9226; 1477-9234
• DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03176g

We have successfully prepared and structurally characterized triangle-in-triangle {Cr 3 Ln 3 } complexes with Ln = Gd and Dy employing alcohol-amine, N -methyldiethanolamine (H 2 mdea) and pivalate ligands. These complexes and the Yttrium analogue proved to be isostructural and crystallized in a P 1 triclinic cell. DC and AC magnetic measurements were carried out and supported by quantum computations at DFT and CASSCF levels. DC magnetic data are dominated by the Cr( iii )-Ln( iii ) antiferromagnetic interaction and by single-ion anisotropy in the case of the Dy( iii ) complex. Ln( iii )-Ln( iii ) magnetic interactions are negligible, as well as Cr( iii )-Cr( iii ) ones. From AC data, slow relaxation of the magnetization is observed at 0 DC applied magnetic field in the case of the Dy( iii ) complex below 4 K. From temperature and field dependence data, possible Raman and Orbach relaxation mechanisms are established in the absence of quantum tunnelling pathways, suggesting a successful suppression of the latter due to the Cr( iii )-Dy( iii ) exchange interaction. We report a combined computational and experimental study of efficient QTM suppression in {Cr 3 Dy 3 } triangle-in-triangle SMMs.