Research on Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) is of high interest due to the possibility of using bistable molecules for new types of memory devices and for quantum computing applications. In the years since the initial report of SMM behavior in Mn<sub>12</sub>Ac it has become apparent that molecular anisotropy is an important aspect of designing SMMs with enhanced properties. The inherent anisotropy of lanthanide ions renders them excellent prospects for SMMs with higher operating temperatures. Another ingredient that contributes to higher SMM blocking temperatures is a strong magnetic exchange between the spin carriers. Due to the contracted nature of the f orbitals of lanthanide ions, exchange coupling between them is generally quite weak which prevents the rare earth ions from realizing their full potential as magnetic molecules. It has recently been shown that the use of an additional spin carrier as a bridge, <i>e.g</i>. an organic radical, can greatly increase the magnitude of the interaction between lanthanide ions. In fact, the use of an organic radical bridge between two Tb(III) ions led to the observation of a magnetic hysteresis loop at temperatures up to 14 K which is the current record. The focus of this presentation is a description of our efforts to use the stable, radical anion form of bmtz (bmtz = 3,6-bis(2’-pyrimidyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) as a bridge between two lanthanide ions. Our goal is to understand how the nature of the radical orbital affects the strength of the magnetic coupling between lanthanide centers and, by extension, how the coupling strength affects SMM behavior.

Dinuclear lanthanide complexes containing a radical bridging ligand

249th National Meeting (2015)

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