A linear 3d-4f tetranuclear CoIII2DyIII2 single-molecule magnet: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties.

A linear tetranuclear 3d-4f Co(2) Dy(2) cluster assembled from a polydentate Schiff base exhibits single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with an anisotropic barrier of 33.8 K. Due to the presence of diamagnetic cobalt(III) ions, the tetranuclear cluster of 1 behaves magnetically like a dinuclear Dy(2) system. However, the diamagnetic segment might efficiently minimize undesirable intermolecular magnetic interactions, thereby improving the performance of the SMM behavior of 1. This discrete complex presents us with a unique opportunity to study the magnetic properties and to probe the dynamics of magnetization in a magnetically isolated Dy(2) system.