Heterometallic 3 d- 4 f SMMs

Abstract Single-molecule magnetism (SMM) is considered nowadays to be an open, challenging research topic not only due to the fundamental physics and chemistry involved but also due to the unique potential of SMMs in molecule-based information storage, quantum computing, and spin-based electronic devices. After a brief introduction to the SMM research field, the advantages of combining transition metals with lanthanides in order to design 3d-4f SMMs with high anisotropy barriers will be emphasized. Their characteristics as SMMs depend on the combination of the single-ion anisotropies of all the paramagnetic metal centers involved and on the presence of the 3d-4f exchange interactions. In a tutorial style, intended for a general chemistry audience, the synthetic strategies and the resulting magnetic behavior of these compounds will be highlighted, taking into account the intrinsic properties of the d metal ions involved and the role played by the contributions of both d and f electrons to tune the orbitals of the trivalent lanthanide ions involved. The reported systems will mainly be discussed in terms of the contributions of the intrinsic properties of the 3d paramagnetic manganese, copper, and iron, followed by the contributions of 4f ions.