Magnetic Axiality: Design Principles from Molecules to Materials

Recently, the field of molecular magnets has experienced a remarkable result: magnetic remanence above liquid nitrogen temperatures (>77 K); this represents the first example of a Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) that holds technological relevance. Here, we review the seminal lanthanide-based SMMs which led to the findings of remanence at 80 K. The scalability of the design principles employed in molecular systems is examined and applied with the goal of achieving functional hybrid materials and single-atom magnets on surfaces. With the future objective of molecule-based memory, it is imperative that the inherent magnetic anisotropy of lanthanides be preserved in advanced materials.