A tetranuclear holmium compound exhibiting single molecule magnet behavior

• A new tetranuclear holmium cluster with a planar “butterfly” core derived from a Schiff base ligand has been synthesized.
• The Ho4 compound displays field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization.
• It is a unique example of a tetranuclear HoIII SMM.

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a new tetranuclear holmium cluster [HoIII4(μ3-OH)2(L)4(piv)2(DMF)2]·2DMF (1) is reported, where the Schiff base H2L ligand is 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylsalicylaldimine and piv is pivalate. The cluster has a planar “butterfly” Ho4 core, which is bridged by two μ3-hydroxide and six phenoxide oxygen atoms. Magnetically, compound 1 displays field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization. Fitting the dynamic magnetic data to the Arrhenius law gives energy barrier ΔE/kB = 21.49 K and τ0 = 6.97 × 10− 7 s.

A new tetranuclear holmium compound, containing planar “butterfly” Ho4 core, has been obtained. Magnetically, the Ho4 cluster displays field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization with energy barrier ΔE/kB = 21.49 K and τ0 = 6.97 × 10− 7 s.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide