Mechanism of magnetisation relaxation in {MIII2DyIII2} (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Al) “Butterfly” complexes: how important are the transition metal ions here?

Tuning of relaxation of magnetisation through 3d metal ion variations in 3d₂Dy₂ butterflies.

Abstract

We describe the synthesis, characterisation and magnetic studies of four tetranuclear, isostructural “butterfly” heterometallic complexes: [MIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆(L)₂] (H₂L = 2,2′-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)azanediyl)bis(ethan-1-ol), M = Cr, Ln = Dy (1), Y (2), M = Mn, Ln = Dy (3), Y (4)), which extend our previous study on the analogous 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, 6 {Fe₂Y₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} compounds. We also present data on the yttrium diluted 7 {Al₂Dy₂}: 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82}. Compounds dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data reveal single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour for complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, in the absence of an external magnetic field, with an anisotropy barrier U_eff of 19.2 K, while complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, shows no ac signals even under applied dc field, indicating absence of SMM behaviour. The diluted sample 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82} shows field induced SMM behaviour with an anisotropy barrier U_eff of 69.3 K. Furthermore, the theoretical magnetic properties of [MIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆(L)₂] (M = Cr, 1 or Mn, 3) and their isostructural complexes: [MIII2DyIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆(L)₂] (M = Fe, 5 or Al, 7) are discussed and compared. To understand the experimental observations for this family, DFT and ab initio CASSCF + RASSI-SO calculations were performed. The experimental and theoretical calculations suggest that altering the 3d^III ions can affect the single-ion properties and the nature and the magnitude of the 3d^III–3d^III, 3d^III–Dy^III and Dy^III–Dy^III magnetic coupling, thus quenching the quantum tunneling of magnetisation (QTM) significantly, thereby improving the SMM properties within this motif. This is the first systematic study looking at variation and therefore role of trivalent transition metal ions, as well as the diamgnetic Al^III ion, on slow relaxation of magnetisation within a series of isostructural 3d–4f butterfly compounds.

Introduction

Recently, combining 3d and 4f metal ions in a molecule to obtain SMMs has become a hot research topic since 3d ions can give rise to stronger magnetic coupling and/or magnetic anisotropy while 4f ions such as Dy^III, Tb^III, Ho^III, contribute large single-ion magnetic anisotropy.1–3 Through the efforts of several research groups, there is now a rich structural diversity of 3d–4f SMMs.4 However, it is still a challenge to understand the correlation between the structure and the magnetic properties.

The single-ion anisotropy of a metal ion depends mainly on its coordination geometry and ligand field,5 while the molecular anisotropy depends on several factors such as ligand field,6 relative orientation of the individual single-ion easy axes,7 magnetic coupling, and the structural topology of the magnetic core.8,9

It is well-known that the magnetic interactions between the 3d–3d, 3d–4f, and 4f–4f ions in heterometallic clusters are rather complicated to figure out, especially for clusters with high nuclearity. Thus, to better understand the magnetic interactions between 3d and 4f metal ions as well as the effect of magnetic interactions on the SMM behaviour,10,11 the construction of simple complexes with a limited number of 3d and 4f ions is required in order to elucidate the magneto-structural correlations. A fruitful test-bed system is provided by the tetranuclear “butterfly” motif. There are two possibilities for 3d/4f butterflies, either the 4f metal ions can be in the body positions and the 3d transition metal M ions are at the wingtips (Type I) or the reverse situation where the 4f metal ions are at the wingtips and the transition metal M ions are in the body positions (Type II). There are relatively few examples of the Type I situation compared with compounds with the Type II motif. The most famous Type I compounds have been reported by the Murray group where the isostructural compounds, {MIII2LnIII2}, (M = Co, Cr and Ln = Dy, Tb, Ho) were studied.12–14 The corresponding {Cr₂Ln₂} and {Co₂Ln₂} compounds have similar U_eff values, but open magnetic hysteresis was only observed for the {CrIII2Ln₂} compounds where the 3d ion is paramagnetic rather than diamagnetic. It was found using ab initio calculations that this is the direct result of the cooperative 3d–4f coupling between the Cr^III and Ln^III ions.

A particularly fruitful test-bed system for Type II is the generic [MIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(RCO₂)₆(L)₂] coordination cluster. There are many such examples of 3d–4f butterfly compounds in the literature, including an interesting systematic study by Winpenny, McInnes and their co-workers on a family of {M₂Ln₂} compounds where M = Mg^II, Mn^III, Co^II, Ni^II, and Cu^II, Ln = Y^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Dy^III, Ho^III, and Er^III. The results revealed that the SMM behaviour observed in the Dy- and Er-based systems are intrinsic to the lanthanide ion and the strength of the 3d–4f exchange interaction plays a key role in the nature of the SMM properties observed.15 For this system, all the metals (M) are bivalent apart from the Mn^III analogue. Up to now the equivalent exploration of this type of butterfly system for M = M^III has not been available, probably because of the synthetic challenge to vary the M^III metal ions. On the other hand, it is straightforward to vary the 4f ion, as shown for (Type II) {Fe₂Ln₂} butterflies.16 We were particularly interested to gauge the effect that changing the electron configuration of the 3d ion has on the magnetic properties, including potential single molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour in a series of compounds incorporating the highly anisotropic Dy^III ion. In order to find some clear-cut ground rules, the system should be poised in such a way that the appearance of SMM behaviour allows an easy identification of the “best” choice of 3d configuration to optimise the slow relaxation and therefore SMM properties. With this in mind, and stimulated by our recent work17 on {MIII2DyIII2}, M = Fe and Al, we extended our study on the high spin 3d⁵ (Fe^III) to 3d³ (Cr^III) and high spin 3d⁴ (Mn^III), and also the yttrium diluted {Al₂Dy₂} analogue, {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82}. This allows us to probe the nature of the 3d^III–3d^III, 3d^III–4f^III and 4f^III–4f^III interactions and the effects on SMM behaviour. We have used a combined experimental and theory approach, using detailed ab initio calculations to elucidate the observations from bulk susceptibility and magnetisation data in order to explore the cooperativity and nature of any magnetisation relaxation for the complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}.

Results and discussion

Synthetic description

Reaction of the (3d/Al^III), 4f chloride precursors, HO₂CPh-Me-p and H₂L in the presence of Et₃N in MeOH and MeCN gives a family of isostructural tetrametallic {MIII2LnIII2} clusters. The molecules feature a butterfly core with an {MIII2} body and Ln wingtips, of formula [MIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(O₂CPh-Me-p)₆] (M = Cr, Mn, Fe and Al, Ln = Dy and Y), based on the synthetic method for the previously reported Fe and Al analogues.17 In order to figure out the dipolar interaction effect within the {Al₂Dy₂}, the analogue {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82} was synthesized and magnetic properties were investigated. For the {MnIII2Ln₂} analogue, the 3d chloride precursor is Mn^IICl₂, as was the case in the synthesis of {Fe₂Dy₂}.17 During the crystallisation process, the Fe^II and Mn^II were oxidised to Fe^III and Mn^IIIin situ. We found that it was necessary to reduce the amount of base for the synthesis of {Mn₂Ln₂} compared with the Fe^III analogue. M^IIICl₃ was used to synthesise the Cr and Al compounds with the synthesis for the Cr compound being the same as we reported for the Al compound.17

Crystal structures

Compounds 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 2 {Cr₂Y₂} and 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82} crystallise isomorphously in C2/c with formulae [CrIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(O₂CPh-Me-p)₆]·2MeCN (1 and 2) [AlIII2DyIII0.18Y_1.82(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(O₂CPh-Me-p)₆]·2MeCN (8) respectively. The structures are also isomorphous with the previously reported {Al₂Dy₂} compound. Compounds 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 4 {Mn₂Y₂} are isomorphous, crystallising in P1[combining macron] with formula [MnIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(O₂CPh-Me-p)₆]·2MeOH·2MCN. The refinement details are listed in Table S1, ESI.†

The molecular structures of the complexes are very similar in all cases and always centrosymmetric, which was also the case for the previously reported 5 {Fe₂Ln₂} (Fig. 1 and S1, ESI†).17 The description of 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} is given as representative for the description of the features of the molecular structures. The neutral cluster is composed of 2 Cr^III, 2 Dy^III, 2 μ₃-OH, and 6p-Me-PhCOOH. All M^III ions have an octahedral O6 donor set which was established from the crystal data and through a SHAPE 2.1 analysis.18–20 The M^III ions have deviation values of 0.42, 1.37, 0.80 and 0.49 (Table 1) for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, respectively.

Fig. 1. Structure of compound 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} (left), ligand (right upper) and coordination mode of ligand (right lower) in complexes 1, 3, 5 and 7.

Table 1. Continuous shape measurement calculations for the M^III and Dy^III ions in complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} ^a .

MIII	1 {Cr2Dy2}	3 {Mn2Dy2}	5 {Fe2Dy2}	7 {Al2Dy2}
	Cr	Mn	Fe	Al
HP	30.21	32.10	31.35	30.31
PPY	25.60	25.69	24.99	25.54
OC	0.42	1.37	0.80	0.49
TPR	14.09	11.78	12.01	13.54
JPPY	29.37	28.75	29.09	29.31

LnIII	1 {Cr2Dy2}	3 {Mn2Dy2}	5 {Fe2Dy2}	7 {Al2Dy2}
	Dy	Dy	Dy	Dy
CSAPR	0.94	1.20	1.00	1.00
TCTPR	1.43	1.25	1.22	1.90
MFF	1.51	1.67	1.47	1.44

^aHP (D_6h) hexagon, PPY (C_5v) pentagonal pyramid, OC (C_4v) octahedron, TPR (D_3h) trigonal prism, JPPY (C_5v) Johnson pentagonal pyramid J2, CSAPR (C_4v) spherical capped square antiprism, TCTPR (D_3h) spherical tricapped trigonal prism, MFF (C_s) muffin.

The Dy^III ions with an O7N2 donor set were also systematically analysed using SHAPE 2.1 software,18–20 and are best described as having a distorted spherical capped square anti-prism geometry with deviation values of 0.94, 1.20, 1.00 and 1.00 (Table 1) for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, respectively. The high spin Mn^III ions in {Mn₂Dy₂} show an axial Jahn–Teller elongation along O4–M–O1′ with an elongated octahedral environment typical for this d⁴ metal ion (Mn–O_eq range = 1.894(16)–1.972(18) Å, Mn–O_ax = 2.161(16)–2.206 (16) Å) (Table 2). The Y analogues were established to be isostructural from the single crystal structure analysis or, in the case of 4, from the unit cell parameters.

Table 2. Selected bonds length (Å) and angles (°) of 1, 3, 5 and 7.

	1 (CrIII)	3 (MnIII)	5 (FeIII)	7 (AlIII)
Dy1–O2	2.340 (4)	2.3183 (18)	2.3215 (17)	2.3200 (15)
Dy1–O3	2.326 (4)	2.3651 (15)	2.3416 (16)	2.3308 (16)
Dy1–O7i	2.430 (4)	2.4311 (18)	2.4332 (17)	2.4046 (16)
Dy1–O1	2.423 (4)	2.3742 (17)	2.3990 (17)	2.4214 (16)
Dy1–O9	2.430 (4)	2.5170 (19)	2.4388 (17)	2.4538 (16)
Dy1–O5	2.402 (5)	2.3713 (16)	2.4434 (17)	2.4212 (16)
Dy1–O8	2.442 (5)	2.3943 (18)	2.4285 (18)	2.4371 (17)
Dy1–N2	2.567 (5)	2.584 (2)	2.566 (2)	2.5640 (19)
Dy1–N1	2.582 (5)	2.628 (2)	2.618 (2)	2.602 (2)
M1–M1i	3.0659 (2)	3.286 (1)	3.211 (0)	3.024 (1)
Dy1–M1i	3.4317 (11)	3.376 (1)	3.450 (1)	3.386 (1)
Dy1–M1	3.4404 (11)	3.467 (1)	3.444 (1)	3.383 (1)
M1–O2	1.963 (4)	1.8963 (16)	1.9738 (17)	1.8701 (17)
M1–O4i	1.969 (4)	2.1610 (16)	1.9944 (17)	1.8875 (17)
M1–O6	1.976 (4)	1.9496 (18)	2.0058 (17)	1.8977 (17)
M1–O3	1.955 (4)	1.8944 (16)	1.9676 (17)	1.8668 (17)
M1–O1	2.002 (4)	1.9727 (18)	2.0584 (17)	1.9496 (17)
M1–O1i	1.996 (4)	2.2036 (16)	2.0548 (16)	1.9346 (17)
Dy–Dyintra	6.150 (4)	6.003 (2)	6.101 (1)	6.055 (1)
Dy–Dyinter	7.7708 (5)	10.1349 (2)	7.951 (1)	8.093 (2)
M1–O1–M1i	100.16 (19)	103.66 (7)	102.65 (7)	102.27 (8)
M1i–O1–Dy1	101.83 (19)	98.39 (6)	101.28 (7)	101.44 (7)
M1–O1–Dy1	101.30 (16)	101.55 (7)	100.90 (6)	100.85 (7)
M1–O2–Dy1	105.47 (17)	106.03 (7)	106.32 (7)	107.29 (7)
M1i–O3–Dy1	106.62 (18)	108.46 (7)	106.07 (7)	106.90 (7)

In all cases, there are μ₃-OH hydrogen bonding interactions to lattice solvent molecules but not to other molecules. Compounds 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and the doped 8 {Al₂(Y/Dy)₂} are isomorphous to the previously reported compounds 7 {Al₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}.17 There are reasonably strong π–π stacking interactions, with C···C distances down to 3.446 Å, linking the molecules into 2-D sheets. For compound 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, there are similarly strong π–π interactions (shortest C···C 3.411 Å) linking the molecules into 1-D chains. Selected bond lengths and angles for the Dy^III-containing complexes are listed in Table 2.

Magnetism

Static magnetic studies

Direct-current (dc) magnetic susceptibility studies on complexes 1–4 and 8 were performed on polycrystalline samples in the temperature range 2–300 K, under an applied field (H) of 300 Oe. Magnetisation as a function of applied field was investigated in the field range 0–7 T and at temperatures of 2 and 5 K. The magnetic behaviour of 5 and 6 {Fe₂Ln₂} (Ln = 5, Dy and 6, Y) and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} were reported previously.17

In order to understand how the paramagnetic 3d^III-metal affects the magnetic behaviour of the Dy^III in the {MIII2Dy₂} clusters, we also describe the yttrium diluted {Al₂Dy₂} compound, {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82} and the {M₂Y₂} examples, as we did in the previous study on {Fe₂Dy₂}.17 This enables us to indirectly assess the 3d–4f interactions in these examples through comparison of the χT vs. T behaviour of {M₂Dy₂} with the sum of the contributions for the appropriate {M₂Y₂} and {Al₂Dy₂} systems. The dc susceptibility data for all the compounds are summarised in Table S2, ESI.†

Effect of deletion of the 4f contributions in {M₂Y₂}

The magnetic behaviours for {M₂Y₂} (M = Cr, 2 and Mn, 4) are depicted in Fig. 2 and 3. The χT value for {Cr₂Y₂} (2) at room temperature is 3.73 cm³ K mol^–1 (consistent with two uncoupled S = 3/2 Cr^III ions with g = 2.0; see Table S2, ESI† and Fig. 2) decreasing only slowly until about 10 K, below which it quickly drops to 1.44 cm³ K mol^–1. This suggests antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cr^III ions and the fit of the χT plot of 2 {Cr₂Y₂} using the PHI software21 gives an antiferromagnetic coupling of J_Cr–Cr = –0.49 cm^–1 for g = 2.0. The molar magnetisation (M) as a function of applied magnetic field at 2 K in the field range 0–7 T does not saturate but does show a value close to the expected saturation value at 7 T for compound 2 {Cr₂Y₂} of 6.95 μ_B, which is in line with the result that the exchange between these two Cr^III ions is fairly weak (Fig. S2, ESI†).

Fig. 2. Temperature dependence of the χT product at 300 Oe for 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 2 {Cr₂Y₂} (the solid line is the best fit to the experimental data for 2 {Cr₂Y₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}). The comparison curves (inset) of {Cr₂Dy₂} and {Al₂Dy₂} + {Cr₂Y₂} along with the curves of 2 {Cr₂Y₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} enlarged in the region below 15 K.

Fig. 3. Temperature dependence of the χT product at 300 Oe for 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 4 {Mn₂Y₂} (the solid line is the best fit to the experimental data for 4). The comparison curves (inset) of {Mn₂Dy₂} and {Al₂Dy₂} + {Mn₂Y₂ } along with the curves of 4 {Mn₂Y₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} enlarged in the region below 15 K.

For {Mn₂Y₂} (4), the χT value at room temperature is 5.38 cm³ K mol^–1 which is lower than what is expected for two uncoupled S = 2 Mn^III ions with g = 2.0 (see Table S2† and Fig. 3). The χT value decreases slowly down to about 30 K below which it decreases rapidly to reach 1.10 cm³ K mol^–1 at 2 K (Fig. 3). This could be due to antiferromagnetic coupling or significant single ion anisotropy. The χT plot of 4 {Mn₂Y₂} was also fitted using the PHI software21 and an antiferromagnetic coupling with J_Mn–Mn = –1.00 cm^–1 and g = 1.92 was found – i.e. about twice as strong as for the Cr^III compound and in line with the fact that Mn^III has four rather than three unpaired electrons. The stronger Mn–Mn AF coupling is more likely to reflect the single electron now in the 3d_z² Mn^III orbital, this orbital being empty for Cr^III. The Jahn–Teller axis of Mn (and thus this orbital) points towards one of the bridging OH groups, so for each Mn–OH–Mn bridge, one of the two Mn–O interactions involves a 3d orbital with an unpaired electron in it, while for Cr both the 3d orbitals are empty. The reduced magnetisation M–H plots of 4 {Mn₂Y₂} show a crossover feature at about 2 T (Fig. S2†), which is likely to be the result of significant anisotropy, as previously observed in a {CoII2Y₂} compound.15

Inclusion of 4f contribution in {M₂Dy₂}

For complex 1, {Cr₂Dy₂}, as shown in Fig. 2, at 300 K, the experimental χT value is 27.70 cm³ K mol^–1, which is much lower than the expected value of 32.09 cm³ K mol^–1 for two spin-only Cr^III ions (S = 3/2, g = 2, C = 1.875 cm³ K mol^–1) and two Dy^III ions (S = 5/2, L = 5, ⁶H_15/2, g = 4/3, C = 14.17 cm³ K mol^–1). The χT product remains almost constant over the whole temperature range, reaching a minimum value of 23.08 cm³ K mol^–1 at 2 K. This behaviour is typically observed when both antiferromagnetic interactions between magnetic ions and the thermal depopulation of the Dy^III excited states are operative.22,23 In order to probe the interaction between Cr^III and Dy^III ions in complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, the χT vs. T curves for {Cr₂Dy₂} and the addition of {Al₂Dy₂} data to that of {Cr₂Y₂} in [{Al₂Dy₂} + {Cr₂Y₂}] can be compared (Fig. 2). This makes it possible to gauge any cooperative effects within the 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} data by seeing whether “the sum of the parts” i.e. addition of the curves for 2 {Cr₂Y₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, differs from the observed data for the actual 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} compound, since the {Al₂Dy₂} + {Cr₂Y₂} data effectively ‘deletes’ the contribution of the Cr–Dy interaction.

As shown in the inset of Fig. 2, the χT value at low temperature for {Cr₂Dy₂} is lower than the corresponding values for [{Cr₂Y₂} + {Al₂Dy₂}], indicating a contribution from antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cr^III and Dy^III ions.

For complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, the room temperature χT value of 33.16 cm³ K mol^–1 is in good agreement with the expected value of 33.17 cm³ K mol^–1 for two uncoupled Mn^III ions (S = 2, g = 2.0, C = 2.50 cm³ K mol^–1) and two uncoupled Dy^III ions (S = 5/2, L = 5, ⁶H_15/2, g = 4/3, C = 14.17 cm³ K mol^–1). As the temperature is lowered, the χT product gradually decreases until 15 K, below which it increases to 28.03 cm³ K mol^–1 at 2 K. The decrease in χT at higher temperatures can be attributed to the depopulation of the excited states of the Dy^III ions, whereas the increase at lower temperature suggests significant ferromagnetic interactions between the Mn^III and Dy^III ions. Modelling the 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} data by addition of the curves for 4 {Mn₂Y₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, as shown in the inset of Fig. 3, reveals that the interactions between Mn^III and Dy^III ions are ferromagnetic.

The field dependence of the magnetisation of 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} were performed at fields ranging from 0 to 7 T at 2 and 5 K. At higher fields, M increases linearly without clear saturation to ultimately reach 16.85 μ_B (H = 7 T, at 2 K) for 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 11.90 μ_B (H = 7 T, at 2 K) for 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}. The lack of saturation on a single master curve of M vs. H data for both complexes suggests the presence of magnetic anisotropy (Fig. S2†).

Dynamic susceptibility studies

To probe potential slow magnetisation relaxation, ac magnetic measurements were carried out for 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, and 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82}.

{Cr₂Dy₂} 1

No out-of-phase signal (χ′′) was observed even after a static dc field (Fig. S3†) was applied, indicating the absence of SMM behaviour within the measurement parameters of the SQUID.

{Mn₂Dy₂} 3

Both the in-phase (χ′) and out-of-phase (χ′′) susceptibilities display frequency and temperature dependence, signalling the blocking of the magnetisation due to an anisotropy barrier (Fig. 4 and S4, ESI†). The χ′′ vs. ν plots were observed in fields up to 1000 Oe (Fig. S5, ESI†), further suggesting that QTM is inefficient in this system. A plot of χ′′ vs. ν isotherms (Fig. 4, lower right), reveals frequency dependent maxima down to 1.8 K. From these data, Cole–Cole plots (Fig. 5, left) were constructed and fitted to a generalized Debye model using CC-fit24 to determine α values and relaxation times (τ₀) in the temperature range 1.8–2.4 K. The plots reveal relatively symmetrical semicircles, indicating a single relaxation process, with α values ranging from 0.067–0.093, indicating a narrow distribution of relaxation times within this single relaxation process. From the frequency-dependent behaviour, it was found that the relaxation follows a thermally activated mechanism from 1.8–2.4 K and plots of ln(τ) vs. 1/T are linear (Fig. 5, right). Fitting to the Arrhenius law [τ = τ₀ exp(U_eff/k_BT)] afforded values of U_eff = 19.32 K and τ₀ = 5.64 × 10^–8 s. This result indicates a barrier to thermal relaxation, with the pre-exponential factor consistent with the expected value for an SMM of between 10^–6–10^–11.25 The energy barrier is comparable with that of the previously reported [NMe₄]₂[MnIII2DyIII2(tmp)₂(O₂CMe₃)₄(NO₃)₄]·2MeCN·0.5H₂O26 (15 K) and [Et₃NH]₂[MnIII2LnIII2(μ₃-O)₂(O₂C^tBu)₁₀] (29 K) complexes.15 The relaxation time, τ, does not become temperature independent at low temperature down to 1.8 K, indicating the absence of a pure quantum regime down to 1.8 K (when the tunnelling rate becomes faster than the activated relaxation). Upon application of a static dc field, a technique used to reduce quantum tunnelling effects, no significant shift in the maximum position of the temperature in the χ′′ vs. ν plots were observed in fields up to 1000 Oe (Fig. S5, ESI†), further suggesting that QTM is inefficient in this system.

Fig. 4. Temperature (left) and frequency (right) dependence under zero dc field of the out-of-phase (χ′′) for compound 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}.

Fig. 5. Cole–Cole plots at indicated temperature (left) and τ vs. T^–1 plot in zero dc field (right) for 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}.

{Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82} 8

Under zero dc field, quantum tunnelling of the magnetisation (QTM) was observed, preventing the occurrence of clear peaks for 8 (Fig. S6, ESI†) which can be compared with the situation found for our previously reported complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂}17 where typical SMM behaviour could be observed without application of a dc field with U_eff = 38.7 K and τ₀ = 1.06 × 10^–6 s. In ref. 17, we specifically targeted the “Fe(iii) knockout” for the {Fe₂Dy₂} compound through replacement with diamagnetic Al(iii) in order to investigate the cooperativity between the Dy and Fe ions within this butterfly system. Since we were also able to investigate this system using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, we could also gauge the influence of the strongly antiferromagnetically coupled central dinuclear Fe₂ unit on the uniaxial anisotropy directions of the wingtip Dy(iii) ions through a consideration of the multiple hyperfine interactions which could be observed. An important conclusion from this work was the major roles played by the local magnetic fields of the ions involved. By deleting Fe(iii) from the compound we could suggest that the uniaxial directions of the magnetic anisotropy on the wingtip Dy(iii) ions changed orientation once the influence of the Fe(iii) ions was taken away. This helps to explain the rather good SMM behaviour of the pure {Al₂Dy₂} compound. Now it seems that reducing the Dy(iii) influence within the {Al₂Dy₂} system through dilution with diamagnetic Y(iii) leads to a “loss of direction” for the dipolarly coupled Dy(iii) ions and a breakdown in suppression of QTM for 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82}. Thus, only through application of a dc field to 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82} could clear peaks be observed in the out of phase (χ′′) data (Fig. S7, ESI†), indicating field-induced SMM behaviour. Since this behaviour is observed only upon application of a static field we can attribute it to suppression of the quantum tunnelling of the magnetisation between sublevels, which is very fast under zero dc field and is observed when the single 4f ion properties become important (achieved here through dilution) and the geometry of the ligand field is sub-optimal for inducing a strong uniaxial, i.e. Ising type of anisotropy. Such activity is known for many lanthanide SMMs.27–29

Temperature and frequency dependent in phase (χ′) and out of phase (χ′′) ac measurements were performed using an applied dc field of 1000 Oe (Fig. 6 and S8, ESI†). This field was chosen to allow for comparisons with previously reported systems. A fitting of the data extracted from the frequency dependent out of phase (χ′′) signals using the Arrhenius equation (τ = τ₀ exp(U_eff/k_BT)) gives an energy barrier of U_eff = 69.26 K and pre-exponential factor of τ₀ = 1.18 × 10^–7 s (Fig. S9, ESI†). Cole–Cole plots (χ′′ vs. χ′) for the temperature range 3.5–9.0 K (Fig. S9, ESI†) can be fitted for a single relaxation process using the Debye model to give α parameters in the range 0.14–0.28, indicating a wider distribution of relaxation times than seen for the non-diluted compound 7 {Al₂Dy₂}. This result indicates that the dipolar interaction between the two distant wingtip Dy^III ions plays a key role in suppressing the QTM.30 The comparison data are summarized in Table 3.

Fig. 6. Temperature (left) and frequency (right) dependence under 1000 Oe dc field of the out-of-phase (χ′′) for compound 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82}.

Table 3. The selected parameters for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, 7 {Al₂Dy₂} and 8 {Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82}.

	3d–3d	3d–Dy	Dy–Dy	SMMs (field/Oe)
1 {Cr2Dy2}	AF	AF	F	No
3 {Mn2Dy2}	AF	F	F	Yes (0)
5 {Fe2Dy2}	AF	AF	F	Yes (1000)
7 {Al2Dy2}	—	—	F	Yes (0)
8 {Al2Dy0.18Y1.82}	—	—	F	Yes (1000)

Theoretical studies

The magnetic properties of complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} were studied using ab initio CASSCF31 + RASSI-SO32 calculations. SINGLE_ANISO33–36 routine was used for the anisotropy calculation of the individual paramagnetic ions followed by POLY_ANISO routine, which uses the Lines model to fit the susceptibility plots.37 First, we explore the single ion relaxation mechanism for each Dy^III ion, followed by the discussion of the polynuclear system where all single-ion anisotropy and the magnetic exchange constants are employed to develop a description of the relaxation mechanism(s) for the exchange coupled system.

Single-ion magnetic anisotropy of complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}

In complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, we have explored the anisotropy of all the paramagnetic ions (Cr^III, Mn^III, Fe^III and Dy^III). In complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, only two paramagnetic Dy^III ions are present. Thus we have explored the anisotropy of Dy^III ions for both centres in complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂}. The calculated anisotropic g values for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} (for KD1 and KD2) are listed in Tables 4 and S3 (ESI†) and their anisotropy orientations are shown in Fig. 7.

Table 4. Ab initio computed ground state g-tensors (g_x,y,z1), and first excited g-tensors (g_x,y,z2) along with energy separation between ground to first excited state and angle between ground to first excited KDs for both Dy^III centres in complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}.

		Dy1	E KD1 – EKD2 (cm–1)	Angle	Dy2	E KD1 – EKD2 (cm–1)	Angle
1 {Cr2Dy2}	g x1/ g x2	0.28/0.22	27.0	21.8	0.18/0.10	33.9	20.4
	g y1/ g y2	0.47/0.45			0.30/0.26
	g z1/ g z2	18.13/18.10			18.67/17.90
3 {Mn2Dy2}	g x1/ g x2	0.13/1.78	50.2	52.1	0.13/1.78	50.2	52.2
	g y1/ g y2	0.36/5.93			0.36/5.92
	g z1/ g z2	19.35/12.16			19.34/12.16
5 {Fe2Dy2}	g x1/ g x2	0.25/1.26	39.9	25.4	0.18/0.88	44.0	17.3
	g y1/ g y2	0.47/1.40			0.35/0.97
	g z1/ g z2	18.01/15.18			18.09/15.79
7 {Al2Dy2}	g x1/ g x2	0.00/1.02	47.0	35.9	0.00/0.70	43.5	28.3
	g y1/ g y2	0.00/1.62			0.00/0.98
	g z1/ g z2	19.05/16.56			19.00/16.98

Fig. 7. The directions of the local anisotropy axes in the ground Kramers doublet on each paramagnetic metals site (green solid line) in complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} upper left, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} lower left, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} upper right and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} lower right.

The energy gap between the ground to first-excited state KDs is found to be 27.0 cm^–1 (33.9 cm^–1), 50.2 cm^–1 (50.2 cm^–1), 39.9 cm^–1 (44.0 cm^–1), 47.0 cm^–1 (43.5 cm^–1), for Dy1 (Dy2) in complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} respectively (see Table 4). For complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, both Dy1 and Dy2 are equivalent and therefore the ground to first excited state gap and the g-anisotropies are the same while in other cases, both the anisotropy and the gaps are different for the Dy1 and Dy2 ions. In particular, the ground to first excited state energy gaps are significantly larger for complexes 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, while it is computed to be slightly smaller for complex 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} (Dy1) and much smaller for complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}. Since the energy gap is correlated to the crystal-field splitting energy, this suggests relatively weaker splitting of the m_J levels in 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} compared to complexes 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}.

SHAPE 2.1 analysis18–20 yields a Dy_Mn > Dy_Fe ∼ Dy_Al > Dy_Cr trend for the distortion of Dy^III ions with respect to the idealised spherical-capped square anti-prismatic geometry and this trend matches with the computed energy gap between ground to first excited state.

The LoProp computed charges38 obtained from CASSCF calculations for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} are shown in Fig. 8. For the Dy^III ion, the oblate anisotropy ellipsoid means that the density is expected to lie along the plane with the least repulsion. The charge on the μ-alkoxo and μ₃-OH are found to be very large in all four cases as they are connected to the trication which tend to polarise the oxygen atom charges significantly. Thus the oblate density lies perpendicular to this direction and the g_zz axis lies along the O–Dy–O direction where the oxygen atoms possess the largest negative charges39,40 In complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, the g_zz axis lies in the direction defined by the oxygen atom of one of the carboxylates and the μ-alkoxo oxygen connected to the Cr^III ion. While this is found to be similar for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, clearly there are structural variations. For example, the Cr–O (alkoxo) bridging distance is 1.963(4) Å, while in complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, the Mn–O distance is much shorter (1.896(16) Å) in line with the Jahn–Teller distortion. A shorter bond distance is expected to lead to a greater polarisability of the oxygen and resulting the g_zz aligning closest to the μ-alkoxo oxygen with a deviation of only 18°.This is much smaller compared to the case in complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} (25°). This significant variation in the orientation of the g_zz axis caused by the electronic structure of the trication at the body of the butterfly apparently leads to the variation in the ground-state to excited-state gaps. A similar scenario is noted also for complexes 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, where the ground state g_zz axis is found to align along the μ-alkoxo oxygen atom (with deviations of 18.5° for 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 15.4° for complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂}). Another important result from the analysis of the charges concerns the charge found at the equatorial position of the Dy^III ion, as this is reflected in the transverse anisotropy. For complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, significant reduction of charge on the μ₃-OH group lying in the equatorial plane is noted and this leads to a drastic reduction of transverse anisotropy at –0.84 in 7 {Al₂Dy₂} rather than –0.93 in 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} or –0.96 in 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}.

Fig. 8. Ab initio computed LoProp charges on the metal atoms and donor atoms of complexes (a) 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, (b) 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, (c) 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and (d) 7 {Al₂Dy₂} (note: because of identical charges on the other half side, we have only shown here one side of the molecule).

In all the complexes, m_J = ±15/2 is found to be stabilized as the ground state (see Fig. S10, ESI†). This can be attributed to the stronger axial interactions compared to transverse interactions. However, significant transverse anisotropy is present for the ground state KD of complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} g_xx = 0.28/0.18, g_yy = 0.47/0.30, g_zz = 18.13/18.67 for Dy1/Dy2 of complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and g_xx = 0.25/0.18, g_yy = 0.47/0.35, g_zz = 18.01/18.09 for Dy1/Dy2 of complex 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} (Table 4), as a result of the strong mixing of the m_J = ±15/2, ±13/2, ±11/2 and ±9/2 states (see Fig. S10, ESI†). The transverse components for both the complexes are found to be larger for Dy1, and the effect on the measured χT values for both compounds, and in particular for the {Cr₂Dy₂} one, is a substantial decrease in the value expected considering the summation of the Y and Al analogues with the deleted 4f/3d contributions respectively. This at first sight surprising reduction in the χT value has also been observed for a recently reported {Cr₂Dy₃} system41 where this was attributed to the changes in the anisotropies of the Dy(iii) ions. It should also be noted that the magnetisation plots for the {Cr₂Y₂} compound indicate that the contribution of the coupled Cr(iii) ions is far from isotropic in nature.

In complexes 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, the mixing of KD1 with KD2 is relatively smaller compared to the two complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} because of the larger energy separation between them. Significant axial anisotropy is present for the ground state KD of complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}. A clear Ising nature is observed for the Dy^III ions in complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} (g_xx = 0.13/0.13, g_yy = 0.36/0.36, g_zz = 19.35/19.34 for Dy1/Dy2) and even more markedly in complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂} (g_xx = 0.00/0.00, g_yy = 0.00/0.00, g_zz = 19.05/19.00 for Dy1/Dy2) see Table 4.

To analyse the various possible relaxation processes associated with the single-ion Dy^III anisotropy, the mechanisms of the magnetic relaxation were computed and these are shown in Fig. S10, ESI.†

In complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, the ground state tunnelling probability is large for the Dy1 ion (1.2 × 10^–1μ_B). For the Dy ions in the other compounds, the ground state tunnelling probability is found to be smaller (5.0 × 10^–2 to 8.8 × 10^–2μ_B). In complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, the tunnelling probability at the single ion level in the ground state is larger than in 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} and the calculations predict the absence of SMM behaviour. This is in accord with the experimental measurements. If we consider relaxation processes beyond those of the single-ion, then factors such as Dy^III–Dy^III exchange coupling may play a role in quenching the observed QTM. Therefore, the Dy^III–Dy^III, Dy^III–3d^III and 3d^III–3d^III exchange couplings were taken into account using the POLY_ANISO suite. These gave the 3d^III single ion isotropic g-tensors (see Table S3 in ESI†) which have values too small to significantly influence the magnetic anisotropy of the Dy^III centres apart from for complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} where the single-ion zero-field splitting, D, values of the Mn^III ions are relatively large at –3.35 cm^–1, see Table S3 in ESI.†

Mechanism of magnetic relaxation (polynuclear paradigm)

As explained in the earlier section, the single ion Dy^III anisotropy and the postulated mechanism of relaxation do not fully rationalize the observation of slow magnetic relaxation in complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}. To gain insights into the mechanism of the exchange interaction a comprehensive mechanism needs to be developed, incorporating the exchange coupling between the paramagnetic centres. This has been performed using the POLY_ANISO program,37 which employs the Lines model to fit the experimental susceptibility data using the ab initio computed parameters of the Dy^III/3d^III single ion. The exchange Hamiltonian adopted for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} are shown below along with the exchange topology diagram in Fig. 9a.

1

Here, J_i = Jexchi; i.e. J_i are the fitted Jexchi parameters; this describes the interaction between all the neighbouring metal centres. We have employed three exchange interactions (3d^III–3d^III = J₁, Dy^III–3d^III = J₂ and Dy^III–Dy^III = J₃, see Fig. 9a) for these four complexes. The estimated exchange coupling parameters are shown in Table 5. The best fit obtained using POLY_ANISO for all four complexes are found to be in good agreement with the experimental plots (see Fig. 9b–e for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, respectively).

Fig. 9. (a) Magnetic exchange pathways in complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}. (b–e) Best fit for χT vs. T obtained using POLY_ANISO for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, respectively.

Table 5. Magnetic exchange interactions (cm^–1) between magnetic ions in 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}. zJ is a cluster–cluster interaction.

Complex		J values (Lines model)				J 1 (DFT)
		J 1	J 2	J 3	zJ
1 {Cr2Dy2}	J Tot	–0.65	–1.15	0.405	–0.045	–0.81
	J Exc	–0.50	–0.80	0.370
	J Dip	–0.15	–0.35	0.035
3 {Mn2Dy2}	J Tot	–3.20	0.15	0.035	—	–2.10
	J Exc	–2.10	0.09	–0.001
	J Dip	–1.10	0.06	0.036
5 {Fe2Dy2}	J Tot	–4.20	–0.12	0.060	—	–4.92
	J Exc	–3.00	–0.05	0.025
	J Dip	–1.20	–0.07	0.035
7 {Al2Dy2}	J Tot	—	—	0.049	—	—
	J Exc	—	—	0.025
	J Dip	—	—	0.024

For complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, magnetic interactions between the transition metals (J₁) are found to be antiferromagnetic in nature with complex 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} having the largest magnitude of J₁ followed by complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} and complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}. To ascertain the J₁ values independently, DFT calculations were performed on {Cr₂La₂} and {Mn₂La₂} models and these values reproduce the sign as well as the magnitude trend for the J₁ interaction. For complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, the magnetic interaction between Dy–3d^III (J₂) is found to be antiferromagnetic whereas for complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, it is found to be ferromagnetic in nature. All these values are in accord with the earlier literature reports.40,42 The weak Cr^III–Cr^III (J₁) interaction in complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} causes the relaxation to occur via the ground state with very high QTM probability.

For complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂} and 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, the tunnelling (Δ_tun) parameters of the exchange coupled ground state are computed to be large (≤4.3 × 10^–3 and ≤2.1 × 10^–4 respectively, see Fig. 10a and c respectively, see Fig. S11 in ESI† for low lying exchange spectra for complexes 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and 7 {Al₂Dy₂}), whereas for complexes 3 {Mn₂Dy₂} (6.0 × 10^–6, see Fig. 10b) and 7 {Al₂Dy₂} (3.6 × 10^–6, see Fig. 10d) the same is computed to be very small. Thus in complex 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, the magnetic relaxation occurs via the ground state. In complex 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, the first excited state possesses relatively high tunnel splitting (Δ_tun = 1.0 × 10^–5 cm^–1) suggesting relaxation via the first excited state with U_cal value of 16.4 cm^–1 (see Fig. 10b). This picture is consistent with the experimental data where a relaxation process is observed with a barrier height of 13.5 cm^–1 (U_eff). For complex 5 {Fe₂Dy₂}, the tunnelling probability of the exchange coupled ground state is found to be large which suggests a possible relaxation pathway via the ground state.

Fig. 10. The ab initio POLY_ANISO computed magnetisation blocking barrier for complexes (a) 1 {Cr₂Dy₂}, (b) 3 {Mn₂Dy₂}, (c) 5 {Fe₂Dy₂} and (d) 7 {Al₂Dy₂}. The x-axis indicates the magnetic moment of each state along main magnetic axis of Dy ions, while y-axis denotes the energy of the respective states. The thick black line indicates the Kramer's doublets as a function of computed magnetic moment. The indigo colour shows the possible pathway via Orbach/Raman relaxation. The dotted red lines represent the presence of QTM/TA-QTM between the connecting pairs. The numbers provided are the mean absolute value for the corresponding matrix element of transition magnetic moment. A thick cyan coloured arrow shows the zero field relaxation whereas a dotted cyan coloured arrow shows relaxation in an applied external field.

Other excited states are found to be below 1.3 cm^–1 so applying an external magnetic field can overcome this energy barrier and relaxation can occur through the next higher excited state with a barrier height of 40.2 cm^–1. This picture is consistent with the experimental data, where in the presence of an external magnetic field relaxation occurs through an excited state with a barrier height of 11.3 cm^–1 (U_eff). Since the tunnelling probability is high, one can expect a reduction in the U_eff value compare to the U_cal value, where this probability is not taken in to consideration.

For complex 7 {Al₂Dy₂}, the tunnelling probability of the exchange coupled ground state is almost negligible (Δ_tun = 3.6 × 10^–6). This places the estimate of U_cal for this molecule as 43.5 cm^–1 and relaxation via the exchange coupled first excited state (Δ_tun = 6.3 × 10^–5, see Fig. 10d). This picture is consistent with the experimental data where in absence of an external field relaxation occurs with a barrier height of 26.9 cm^–1.

It is important to note here that there are some deviations in the experimental and theoretically estimated barrier heights. This is essentially due to the fact that our relaxation mechanism has not factored other possibilities such as intermolecular interaction, hyperfine coupling of the metal ions/nitrogen atoms etc., that are likely to contribute the overall relaxation process and thus this difference between U_eff and U_cal is inevitable.

Conclusions

Five new butterfly complexes: [MIII2LnIII2(μ₃-OH)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆(L)₂] (H₂L = 2,2′-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)azanediyl)bis(ethan-1-ol), M = Cr, Ln = Dy (1) or Y (2), M = Mn, Ln = Dy (3) or Y (4)) and the diluted complex [AlIII2DyIII2]:[AlIII2DyIII0.18Y_1.82(μ₃-OH)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆(L)₂] 8 have been synthesised, characterised and their magnetic slow relaxation properties investigated. This has allowed us to set these compounds into the context of the properties of our previously reported {FeIII2LnIII2}, Ln = Dy 5 or Y 6 and {AlIII2DyIII2} 7 analogues. The nature of the 3d metal ion sitting at the body positions of the butterfly motif steers the slow magnetic relaxation properties of the whole molecule by “tempering” the relaxation of the wingtip Dy ions. This is the first systematic study on changing the nature of the 3d^III body ions from Cr(d³), Mn(d⁴), Fe(d⁵) and diamagnetic Al^III within this motif.

Ac susceptibility measurements indicate no SMM behaviour was observed for any of the analogues using diamagnetic yttrium at the wingtips instead of Dy. This reveals that the SMM behaviour is intrinsic to the presence of the Dy^III ions. Furthermore, for the {Al₂Dy₂} analogue, the weak (+0.049 cm^–1) dipolar interaction between the two far away Dy^III ions plays a key role in suppressing the zero-field QTM of the individual Dy^III ions as revealed by this compound showing SMM behaviour under zero dc field. Thus the weak but key cooperative interaction plays a significant role for the performance of the system in terms of the dynamic and thus SMM behaviour. Changing from Cr to Mn in the {MIII2LnIII2} motif, the anisotropy of the Dy^III ion can be utilised to improve the performance of the SMM through tuning the suppression (quenching) of the QTM processes of the Dy^III ions. The SMM behaviour for the four complexes follows the trend, {Al₂Dy₂} > {Mn₂Dy₂} > {Fe₂Dy₂} > {Cr₂Dy₂}. Ab initio calculations performed on all Dy^III-containing molecules reveal similar results. It is clear that the strength and maybe the sign of the 3d–4f exchange interaction plays a key role in directing the nature of the SMM properties observed.

Experimental

General information

All chemicals and solvents used for synthesis were obtained from commercial sources and used as received without further purification. All reactions were carried out under aerobic conditions. N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)iminodiethanol was prepared according to the literature procedure.43 The elemental analyses (C, H, and N) were carried out using an Elementar Vario EL analyser. Fourier transform IR spectra (4000 to 400 cm^–1) were measured on a PerkinElmer Spectrum GX spectrometer with samples prepared as KBr discs. Powder X-ray diffraction was carried out on a STOE STADI-P diffractometer, using Cu-Kα radiation with λ = 1.5406 Å.

[CrIII2Dy₂(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆]·2MeCN (1)

H₂L (100 mg, 0.5 mmol) in MeCN (5 ml) was added to a solution of CrCl₃·6H₂O (66 mg, 0.25 mmol), DyCl₃·6H₂O (94 mg, 0.25 mmol) and 4-methylbenzoic acid (136 mg, 1 mmol) in a mixture of MeCN (20 ml) and MeOH (5 ml). After 10 min of stirring, Et₃N (0.42 ml, 3 mmol) was added, leaving the solution stirring for a further 1 min. The final solution was filtered and left undisturbed. After three days, pale green crystals suitable for X-ray analysis were collected and air dried. Yield: 50% (145.4 mg, based on 4-methylbenzoic acid). Anal. calcd for Cr₂Dy₂C₆₈H₇₂N₄O₁₈·2MeCN: C, 49.57; H, 4.51; N, 4.82. Found: C, 49.44; H, 4.37; N, 5.02. Selected IR data (KBr, cm^–1) for 1: 3493 (br), 3062 (w), 2978 (w), 2856 (m), 1595 (s), 1542 (s), 1097 (s), 908 (s), 719 (s), 673 (s), 593 (s).

[CrIII2Y₂(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆]·2MeCN (2)

The same reaction conditions as used for compound 1, substituting DyCl₃·6H₂O with YCl₃·6H₂O produced compound 2. Yield: 55% (based on 4-methylbenzoic acid). Cr₂Y₂C₆₈H₇₂N₄O₁₈·2MeCN: C, 54.14; H, 4.92; N, 5.26. Found: C, 54.24; H, 4.87; N, 5.00. The IR spectrum is similar to that of compound 1.

[MnIII2Dy₂(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆]·2MeCN·2MeOH (3)

The same reaction conditions used for compound 1 replacing CrCl₃·6H₂O with MnCl₂·4H₂O and halving the amount of Et₃N produced compound 3. Yield: 61% (187.5 mg, based on 4-methylbenzoic acid). Anal. calcd for Mn₂Dy₂C₆₈H₇₂N₄O₁₈·2MeCN (lose two MeOH): C, 49.41; H, 4.49; N, 4.80. Found: C, 49.29; H, 4.51; N, 4.59. Selected IR data (KBr, cm^–1) for 3: 3503 (br), 3058 (w), 2975 (w), 2854 (m), 1593 (s), 1541 (s), 1099 (s), 906 (s), 722 (s), 672 (s), 593 (s).

[MnIII2Y₂(μ₃-O)₂(L)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆]·2MeCN·2MeOH (4)

The same reaction conditions as used for compound 3 replacing DyCl₃·6H₂O with YCl₃·6H₂O produced compound 4. Mn₂Y₂C₆₈H₇₂N₄O₁₈·2MeCN (with the loss of two MeOH): C, 53.94; H, 4.90; N, 5.24. Found: C, 53.79; H, 4.91; N, 5.30. The IR spectrum is similar to that of compound 4.

[AlIII2Dy_0.18Y_1.82(μ₃-OH)₂(L)₂(p-Me-PhCO₂)₆]·2MeCN (8)

H₂L (100 mg, 0.5 mmol) in MeCN (5 ml) was added to a solution of AlCl₃·6H₂O (66 mg, 0.25 mmol), DyCl₃·6H₂O (9.4 mg, 0.025 mmol), YCl₃·6H₂O (68.3 mg, 0.225 mmol) and 4-methylbenzoic acid (136 mg, 1 mmol) in a mixture of MeCN (20 ml) and MeOH (5 ml). After 10 min of stirring, NEt₃ (0.42 ml, 3 mmol) was added and the solution stirred for a further 1 min. The final solution was filtered and left undisturbed. After three days, white crystals suitable for X-ray analysis were collected and air dried. Yield: 45.1% (101.2 mg, based on 4-methylbenzoic acid). Al₂Dy_0.18Y_1.82C₆₈H₇₂N₄O₁₈·2MeCN: C, 55.42; H, 5.04; N, 5.39. Found: C, 55.59; H, 4.97; N, 5.20. The IR is similar to that of the reported 7 {Al₂Dy₂}.

Magnetic measurements

The magnetic susceptibility measurements were obtained using a Quantum Design SQUID magnetometer MPMS-XL in the temperature range 1.8–300 K. Measurements were performed on polycrystalline samples restrained in eicosane and placed in sealed plastic bags. Magnetisation isotherms were collected at 2, 5 K between 0 and 7 T. Alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements were performed with an oscillating field of 3 Oe and ac frequencies ranging from 0.05 to 1500 Hz. The magnetic data were corrected for the sample holder and the diamagnetic contribution.

X-ray analysis

The X-ray data were collected on an Oxford Diffraction Supernova E diffractometer, using Mo-K_α radiation (λ = 0.71073 Å) from a microfocus source. Structures were solved by dual-space direct methods using SHELXT44 and refined against F_o² using SHELXL-2014 45 with anisotropic displacement parameters for all non-hydrogen atoms. Organic hydrogen atoms were placed in calculated positions; the coordinates of H(1) were refined. Crystallographic data (excluding structure factors) for the structures in this paper have been deposited with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre as supplementary publication nos.†

Computational details

We performed ab initio CASSCF31 + RASSI-SO32 + SINGLE_ANISO33–36 calculations on all paramagnetic ions using the single crystal structure data in MOLCAS 8.0 46–50 suite by substituting all the paramagnetic ions with diamagnetic ions (La^III/Sc^III) except for the one of interest as attempted earlier by keeping other parts unchanged. We used the [C.ANO-RCC…3s2p], [N.ANO-RCC…3s2p1d], [O.ANO-RCC…3s2p1d], [H.ANO-RCC…2s], [Al.ANO-RCC…4s3p1d], [Sc.ANO-RCC…5s4p2d1f], [Fe.ANO-RCC…5s4p2d1f], [Cr.ANO-RCC…5s4p2d1f], [Mn.ANO-RCC…5s4p2d1f], [Lu.ANO-RCC…7s6p4d2f1g] and [Dy.ANO-RCC…8s7p5d3f2g1h] basis set for our ab initio calculations.51 For our CASSCF calculations on Dy-mononuclear fragment, nine electrons in seven active 4f orbitals were considered. Further, here in the RASSI-SO step, 21 roots for sextet spin multiplicity were considered.52 For the Cr-mononuclear fragment, the active space of the CASSCF method was constructed considering three electrons in five active 3d orbitals with 10 and 40 roots for quadruplet and doublet spin multiplicities respectively. For the Mn-mononuclear fragment, the active space of the CASSCF method was constructed considering four electrons in five active 3d orbitals. Further, here in the RASSI-SO step, we considered only 5 and 35 roots for pentet and triplet spin multiplicities respectively. For the Fe-mononuclear fragment, five electrons in five active 3d orbitals are considered. For the next RASSI-SO step we only considered 1 and 17 roots for sextet and quadruplet spin multiplicities respectively.33–36 The resultant spin–orbit multiplet has been further used to compute local magnetic properties via SINGLE_ANISO approach. The magnetic exchange interactions (J_s) have been computed between all paramagnetic ions for all complexes by fitting ab initio POLY_ANISO with the experimental data.37

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts to declare.