A single molecule magnet to single molecule magnet transformation via a solvothermal process: Fe4Dy2 → Fe6Dy3

Abstract

Two series of heterometallic Fe^III–Ln^III compounds, [Fe^III₄Ln^III₂(μ₃-OH)₂(mdea)₄(m-NO₂C₆H₄COO)₈]·3MeCN where Ln = Y (1) and Dy (2) and [Fe^III₆Ln^III₃(μ₄-O)₃(μ₃-O)(mdea)₅(m-NO₂C₆H₄COO)₉]·3MeCN where Ln = Y (3) and Dy (4), were synthesized. Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained under ambient conditions, whereas 3 and 4 were obtained via a solvothermal transformation process by heating 1 or 2 at 120 °C in MeCN. The magnetic properties of all four compounds have been measured and show that compounds 2 and 4 containing Dy^III ions exhibit slow relaxation of magnetization characteristic of Single Molecule Magnetic (SMM) behaviour.