A heptanuclear heterotrimetallic [Na2Cr2Tb3] cluster exhibiting single-molecule magnet behavior

•First 2p–3d–4f heterotrimetallic compound based on maleic ligand•The heptanuclear cluster features a bicapped trigonal bipyramidal metal skeleton.•The cluster exhibits single-molecule magnet behavior.•The cluster shows high thermal stability.

With maleic acid as the ligand, a heterotrimetallic cluster {[Na(H2O)][Na2Cr2Tb3(μ3-OH)6(L)6(H2O)17]}⋅16H2O (H2L = maleic acid) (1) bearing a bicapped trigonal bipyramidal [Na2Cr2Tb3] metal skeleton was synthesized and characterized. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1 displays overall ferromagnetic interactions and slow relaxation of the magnetization.

Graphical abstractThe synthesis and characterization of a new maleate-based bicapped trigonal bipyramidal [Na2Cr2Tb3] cluster exhibiting overall ferromagnetic interaction and slow relaxation of the magnetization are presented.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide