A trimetallic strategy towards (Zn4Dy2Cr2III)-Dy-II-Cr-III and (Zn4Dy2Co2III)-Dy-II-Co-III single-ion magnets

Two cyano-and phenoxo-bridged octanuclear complexes (Zn4Dy2Co2III)-Dy-II-Co-III (complex 1) and (Zn4Dy2Cr2III)-Dy-II-Cr-III (complex 2) with diamagnetic Zn(II) and Co(III) are reported. Dy(III) is surrounded by nine oxygen atoms of two [Zn(Me(2)valpn)] (Me(2)valpn(2-) = dianion of N,N'-2,2-di-methylpropylenebis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine)) and one water molecule. Magnetic studies reveal that both exhibit single-ion magnet (SIM) behavior with the energy barrier of 85.9 K for complex 1 and 100.9 K for complex 2.