Three‐Axis Anisotropic Exchange Coupling in the Single‐Molecule Magnets NEt4[MnIII2(5‐Brsalen)2(MeOH)2MIII(CN)6] (M=Ru, Os)

We have investigated the single-molecule magnets [MnIII2(5-Brsalen)2(MeOH)2MIII(CN)6]NEt4 (M=Os (1) and Ru (2); 5-Brsalen=N,N′-ethylenebis(5-bromosalicylidene)iminate) by frequency-domain Fourier-transform terahertz electron paramagnetic resonance (THz-EPR), inelastic neutron scattering, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. The combination of all three techniques allows for the unambiguous experimental determination of the three-axis anisotropic magnetic exchange coupling between MnIII and RuIII or OsIII ions, respectively. Analysis by means of a spin-Hamiltonian parameterization yields excellent agreement with all experimental data. Furthermore, analytical calculations show that the observed exchange anisotropy is due to the bent geometry encountered in both 1 and 2, whereas a linear geometry would lead to an Ising-type exchange coupling.