Dilution-Triggered SMM Behavior under Zero Field in a Luminescent Zn2Dy2 Tetranuclear Complex Incorporating Carbonato-Bridging Ligands Derived from Atmospheric CO2 Fixation

The synthesis, structure, magnetic, and luminescence properties of the Zn2Dy2 tetranuclear complex of formula {(mu(3)-CO3)2[Zn(mu-L)Dy(NO3)}(2)}center dot 4CH(3)OH (1), where H2L is the compartmental ligand N,N',N-trimethyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylenetriamine, are reported. The carbonate anions that bridge two Zn(mu-L)Dy units come from the atmospheric CO2 fixation in a basic medium. Fast quantum tunneling relaxation of the magnetization (QTM) is very effective in this compound, so that single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior is only observed in the presence of an applied dc field of 1000 Oe, which is able to partly suppress the QTM relaxation process. At variance, a 1:10 Dy:Y magnetic diluted sample, namely, 1', exhibits SMM behavior at zero applied direct-current (dc) field with about 3 times higher thermal energy barrier than that in 1 (U-eff = 68 K), thus demonstrating the important role of intermolecular dipolar interactions in favoring the fast QTM relaxation process. When a dc field of 1000 Oe is applied to 1', the QTM is almost fully suppressed, the reversal of the magnetization slightly slows, and U-eff increases to 78 K. The dilution results combined with micro-SQUID magnetization measurements clearly indicate that the SMM behavior comes from single-ion relaxation of the Dy3+ ions. Analysis of the relaxation data points out that a Raman relaxation process could significantly affect the Orbach relaxation process, reducing the thermal energy barrier U-eff for slow relaxation of the magnetization.