The first two families of polyoxometalate-based single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are reported here. Compounds of the general formula [Ln(W(5)O(18))(2)](9-) (Ln(III) = Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) and [Ln(SiW(11)O(39))(2)](13-) (Ln(III) = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) have been magnetically characterized with static and dynamic measurements. Slow relaxation of the magnetization, typically associated with SMM-like behavior, was observed for [Ln(W(5)O(18))(2)](9-) (Ln(III) = Ho and Er) and [Ln(SiW(11)O(39))(2)](13-) (Ln(III) = Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb). Among them, only the [Er(W(5)O(18))(2)](9-) derivative exhibited such a behavior above 2 K with an energy barrier for the reversal of the magnetization of 55 K. For a deep understanding of the appearance of slow relaxation of the magnetization in these types of mononuclear complexes, the ligand-field parameters and the splitting of the J ground-state multiplet of the lanthanide ions have been also estimated.

We report ac susceptibility and continuous wave and pulsed EPR experiments performed on GdW10 and GdW30 polyoxometalate clusters, in which a Gd3+ ion is coordinated to different polyoxometalate moieties. Despite the isotropic character of gadolinium as a free ion, these molecules show slow magnetic relaxation at very low temperatures, characteristic of single molecule magnets. For T≲200  mK, the spin-lattice relaxation becomes dominated by pure quantum tunneling events, with rates that agree quantitatively with those predicted by the Prokof'ev and Stamp model [Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 5794 (1998)]. The sign of the magnetic anisotropy, the energy level splittings, and the tunneling rates strongly depend on the molecular structure. We argue that GdW30 molecules are also promising spin qubits with a coherence figure of merit Q(M)≳50.

This work presents a fortran77 code based on an effective electrostatic model of point charges around a rare earth ion. The program calculates the full set of crystal field parameters, energy levels spectrum, and wave functions, as well as the magnetic properties such as the magnetization, the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, and the Schottky contribution to the specific heat. It is designed for real systems that need not bear ideal symmetry and it is able to determine the easy axis of magnetization. Its systematic application to different coordination environments allows magneto-structural studies. The package has already been successfully applied to several mononuclear systems with single-molecule magnetic behavior. The determination of effective point charge parameters in these studies facilitates its application to new systems. In this article, we illustrate its usage with two example studies: (a) an ideal cubic structure coordinating a lanthanoid ion and (b) a system with slow relaxation of the magnetization, LiHo(x)Y((1-x))F(4).

Here we develop a general approach to calculating the energy spectrum and the wave functions of the low-lying magnetic levels of a lanthanoid ion submitted to the crystal field created by the surrounding ligands. This model allows us to propose general criteria for the rational design of new mononuclear lanthanoid complexes behaving as single-molecule magnets (SMMs) or acting as robust spin qubits. Three typical environments exhibited by these metal complexes are considered, namely, (a) square antiprism, (b) triangular dodecahedron, and (c) trigonal prism. The developed model is used to explain the properties of some representative examples showing these geometries. Key questions in this area, such as the chemical tailoring of the superparamagnetic energy barrier, tunneling gap, or spin relaxation time, are discussed. Finally, in order to take into account delocalization and/or covalent effects of the ligands, this point-charge model is complemented with ab initio calculations, which provide accurate information on the charge distribution around the metal, allowing for an explanation of the SMM behavior displayed by some sandwich-type organometallic compounds.

A robust, stable and processable family of mononuclear lanthanoid complexes based on polyoxometalates (POMs) that exhibit single-molecule magnetic behavior is described here. Preyssler polyanions of general formula [LnP(5)W(30)O(110)](12-) (Ln(3+) = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) have been characterized with static and dynamic magnetic measurements and heat capacity experiments. For the Dy and Ho derivatives, slow relaxation of the magnetization has been found. A simple interpretation of these properties is achieved by using crystal field theory.

We analyze the magnetic behavior of the five uranium-based SIMs reported in the literature. By combining a corrected crystal field model with the magnetic experimental data, we obtain the lowest-lying magnetic levels and the associated wave functions of the nanomagnets, which are found to be compatible with the observed SMM behavior. Additionally, this approach has allowed us to propose some geometrical considerations and practical advice for experimentalists aiming for the rational design of SIMs and spin qubits based on uranium. 2À), 27 and two polynuclear complexes: the trimetallic cluster {Np VI O 2 Cl 2 }{Np V O 2 Cl(thf) 3 } 2 , 28 also

We investigate the mechanism of spin-lattice relaxation of Er ions encapsulated in polyoxometalate clusters, which below 4 K can only reverse its spin via quantum tunneling processes. The temperature-independent rate −1 is, at zero field, ten orders of magnitude larger than the rates predicted for direct phonon-induced processes. In addition, we observe that −1 is suppressed by external magnetic bias and hyperfine interactions but enhanced by increasing the concentration of Er ions. The observed relaxation agrees with predictions for pure quantum tunneling, showing that this phenomenon drives the thermalization of electronic spins. A possible link between these two phenomena is discussed, involving the collective emission of phonons from particular spin configurations attained via quantum tunneling. The fundamental equations of magnetism, including Curie's law, rely on the ability of magnetic moments to attain thermal equilibrium with the solid lattice. In spite of the progress achieved in studying and manipulating individual spins in solids, 1 the spin-lattice relaxation ͑SLR͒ mechanisms are not well understood yet. An intriguing situation arises, near zero field, for strongly anisotropic spins, e.g., magnetic molecular clusters or rare-earth ions. When thermally activated tunneling processes 2 die out, at sufficiently low temperatures ͑typically T Շ 1 K͒, spins can only flip by pure quantum tunneling ͑QT͒ across the anisotropy energy barrier. Theoretical descriptions 3-5 of QT in the presence of hyperfine couplings and dipolar spin-spin interactions account well for experiments that measure the time-dependent magnetization under such conditions. 6-8 Concerning SLR, a major difficulty arises. It stems from the fact that QT modifies the magnetization but conserves the energy of the ensemble of nuclear and electronic spins. Therefore, equilibrium states might well be reached long after the characteristic time scales of QT. However, a few experiments suggest otherwise. Specificheat studies 10 indicate that Mn 4 and Fe 8 single-molecule magnets ͑SMM͒ attain thermal equilibrium at rates comparable to those found in magnetization relaxation experiments. In addition, NMR experiments on Mn 12 clusters 11 show that the nuclear spin and bath temperatures remain the same down to the neighborhood of absolute zero.In order to elucidate the nature of the SLR mechanism and its relationship with QT, direct measurements of the SLR rates as a function of temperature, magnetic field, concentration of spins, etc., are clearly desirable. Studying the SLR of molecular nanomagnets at very low temperatures and under weak magnetic fields is, however, a demanding experimental task because tunneling time scales are on the order of days even for clusters made of a few atoms. In order to overcome this difficulty, simpler molecules need to be studied. In the present work, we report the SLR rates of polyoxometalate ͑POM͒ clusters containing individual lanthanide ions. The results evidence that the thermalization of electronic spins is dictat...

Continuous-wave, multi-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies are reported for a series of single-crystal and powder samples containing different dilutions of a recently discovered mononuclear Ho(III) (4f(10)) single-molecule magnet (SMM) encapsulated in a highly symmetric polyoxometalate (POM) cage. The encapsulation offers the potential for applications in molecular spintronics devices, as it preserves the intrinsic properties of the nanomagnet outside of the crystal. A significant magnetic anisotropy arises due to a splitting of the Hund's coupled total angular momentum (J = L + S = 8) ground state in the POM ligand field. Thus, high-frequency (50.4 GHz) EPR studies reveal a highly anisotropic eight line spectrum corresponding to transitions within the lowest m(J) = ±4 doublet, split by a strong hyperfine interaction with the I = 7/2 Ho nucleus (100% natural abundance). X-band EPR studies reveal the presence of an appreciable tunneling gap between the m(J) = ±4 doublet states having the same nuclear spin projection, leading to a highly non-linear field-dependence of the spectrum at low-frequencies.