Coordination-tuned single-molecule-magnet behavior of TbIII-CuII dinuclear systems.

Tb (III)-Cu (II)-based single-molecule magnet (SMM) and non-SMM were synthesized to investigate the relationship between magnetic anisotropy and the symmetry of the ligand field by the reaction of [TbCu( o-vanilate) 2(NO 3) 3] with methoxypropylamine (MeOC 3H 6NH 2, 1) or ethoxyethylamine (EtOC 2H 4NH 2, 2). In both complexes, Tb (III) ions have a bicapped square-antiprism coordination geometry. When the Tb (III) ion is in a less symmetrical ligand field, it has an easy-axis anisotropy and shows SMM behavior, whereas when it is in a more symmetrical environment, it has an easy-plane anisotropy and exhibits non-SMM behavior.