Single-molecule magnet behavior in three cyano-bridged heterometallic FeIII–NiII clusters

One trinuclear and two tetranuclear cyanide-bridged FeIII–NiII complexes were synthesized via treatment of a tricyanometallate with divalent Ni salts in the presence of 1-butylimidazole, 2,2-bipyrimidyl and 1,10-phenanthroline, respectively. Magnetic property studies demonstrated that the three complexes exhibit single-molecule magnet behavior as a result of strong intracluster ferromagnetic coupling and weak intercluster magnetic interactions.