The quantum tunnelling of magnetization was observed in [Zn2Dy2], contrarily it was quenched in [Mn2Dy2] and [Co2Dy2] by spin–spin exchange.

A distorted octahedral Co(II) complex is reported with homoscorpionate ligands. This complex comprised a field-induced single-molecule magnet, showing two slow relaxation processes under a low dc field (<800 Oe) and only one process under a high dc field (≥800 Oe), which was an unusually discovery for 3d metal ions. On the basis of the ac magnetic data, we show for the first time that one of the slow relaxation processes in the low dc field originates from intermolecular dipolar interactions. Interestingly, the Raman process is predominant in the spin reversal relaxation process. The origin of the behaviours of the complex was elucidated by ab initio calculations.

By introducing large counter cations as the spacer, two isolated 3, 3-ladder compounds, (Ph4P)[CoII(3-Mepy)2.7(H2O)0.3WV(CN)8]·0.6H2O (1) and (Ph4As)[CoII(3-Mepy)3WV(CN)8] (2, 3-Mepy = 3-methylpyridine), were synthesized and characterized. Static and dynamic magnetic characterizations reveal that compounds 1 and 2 both behave as the single-chain magnets (SCMs) with very high energy barriers: 252(9) K for 1 and 224(7) K for 2, respectively. These two compounds display the highest relaxation barriers for cyano-bridged SCMs and are preceded only by two cobalt(II)-radical compounds among all SCMs. Meanwhile, a large coercive field of 26.2 kOe (1) and 22.6 kOe (2) were observed at 1.8 K.

Three ion-pair complexes based on spin-crossover [Mn(5-Br-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]ClO4 with TBA2[Ni(mnt)2], TBA2[Pt(mnt)2] (mnt = maleonitriledithiolate) and TBA[Ni(dmit)2] respectively (dmit = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes [Mn(5-Br-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]2[Ni(mnt)2] and [Mn(5-Br-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]2[Pt(mnt)2] are isomorphic and show the axial compression of the octahedral coordination environment of Mn(III) ions. With the temperature increasing the equatorial metal-ligand bond lengths show significant elongation, but the axial bond lengths remain unchanged. Complex [Mn(5-Br-sal-N-1,5,8,12)][Ni(dmit)2]·CH3CN contains π-π, p-π and H-bonds weak interactions. Magnetic investigation shows the spin-crossover phenomena for and , and T1/2 has been increased by 230 K comparing with the reactant complex. However, no spin-crossover was observed in complex , and theoretical calculations show that there are weak antiferromagnetic couplings mediated through π-π interactions.

The mixed 3d-4f pentanuclear complex (Bu4N)[Mn(III)4Y(III)(shi)4(OAc)4(CH3OH)4]·CH3OH·H2O (1) (H3shi = salicylhydroxamic acid) was synthesized by the direct reaction of Y(NO3)3·6H2O, Mn(OAc)2·4H2O, and H3shi. When an additional ligand, (NHBu3)3[W(CN)8]·2H2O, was added, the mixed 3d-4f-5d hexanuclear complex (Et4N)5[Mn(III)4Y(III)(shi)4(OAc)4W(V)(CN)8](WO4)0.5 (2) was obtained. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the 3d-4f complex 1 represents a 12-metallacrown-4 (12-MC-4) structure, in which the metallacrown ring [Mn-N-O]4 connection captures one Y(III) ion with four bridging acetate anions, completing the eight-coordinated environment around Y(III) ion, while four methanol molecules each coordinate to the Mn(III) ions on the other side of the Y(III) ion. After octacyanotungstate is introduced, the [W(V)(CN)8] group substitutes for four methanol molecules of 1 to form complex 2. Magnetic studies indicate the overall antiferromagnetic coupling present within the MC ring of complex 1. However, interestingly, the dominant ferromagnetic coupling between Mn(III) ions was observed in complex 2. A susceptibility analysis shows that the natural spin alignments in 12-MC-4 metallacrowns are tuned from overall antiferromagnetic to dominant ferromagnetic fashions by magnetic coupling between Mn(III) ions and the W(V) ion. Complex 1 [Mn(III)4Y(III)] retains an S = 0 ground state, and complex 2 [Mn(III)4Y(III)W(V)] shows obvious single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with an ST = 11/2 ground state, respectively, before and after introduction of the octacyanotungstate group. The spin frustration geometrical structure constructed by four Mn(III) ions and one W(V) ion was considered as the key factor for switching on the SMM properties of the 12-MC-4 system.

A series of octacyanotungstate(iv)-based iron(ii) complexes with the general formula Fe(L)[W(CN)]·nHO [L = (3-pyridyl)methanol (1, 2), 3-methylpyridine (3), (4-pyridyl)methanol (4), and 4-methylpyridine (5); n = 4 for 1, and n = 0 for 2-5] have been synthesized and characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Fe ions lie in the centre of the compressed [FeN] octahedron in all complexes. Fe and W ions are alternately bridged by cyano groups forming a three-dimensional (3D) bimetallic framework. Magnetic investigation shows that 1 displays a gradual spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon with a spin transition temperature (T) of 200 K, and such SCO behaviour is obviously correlated with the lattice water content of the sample. The magnetic measurements of dehydrated samples show that the fractional conversion from the high-spin (HS) to the low-spin (LS) state is reduced with the increasing of dehydration temperature. Complexes 2-5 are in the HS state and do not exhibit SCO properties in the range of 2-300 K. Comparing the octahedral geometry of [FeN] of five complexes, quantified by using continuous shape measures, the distortion of complex 1 is the highest as a result of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which shorten the Fe-N bond distances and thus increase the ligand field strength at the Fe sites. The analysis of correlations between the structural characteristics and magnetic behaviour of 1-5 suggests that the SCO is mainly tuned by the octahedral distortion of the [FeN] core caused by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. There is an exact correlation between SCO behaviour and the amount of lattice water molecules existing in the crystal. The spin crossover behaviour of these complexes has been computationally studied using the DFT method. The results of the calculations are consistent with the experiments, which prove that complex 1 with severe distortion of the coordination sphere of Fe is prone to exhibit SCO in theory.

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