Salvador Cardona-Serra

Mononuclear Lanthanide Single Molecule Magnets Based on the Polyoxometalates [Ln(W5O18)2]9− and [Ln(β2-SiW11O39)2]13−(LnIII = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb)

The first two families of polyoxometalate-based single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are reported here. Compounds of the general formula [Ln(W(5)O(18))(2)](9-) (Ln(III) = Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) and [Ln(SiW(11)O(39))(2)](13-) (Ln(III) = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) have been magnetically characterized with static and dynamic measurements. Slow relaxation of the magnetization, typically associated with SMM-like behavior, was observed for [Ln(W(5)O(18))(2)](9-) (Ln(III) = Ho and Er) and [Ln(SiW(11)O(39))(2)](13-) (Ln(III) = Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb). Among them, only the [Er(W(5)O(18))(2)](9-) derivative exhibited such a behavior above 2 K with an energy barrier for the reversal of the magnetization of 55 K. For a deep understanding of the appearance of slow relaxation of the magnetization in these types of mononuclear complexes, the ligand-field parameters and the splitting of the J ground-state multiplet of the lanthanide ions have been also estimated.

Rational Design of Single-Ion Magnets and Spin Qubits Based on Mononuclear Lanthanoid Complexes

Here we develop a general approach to calculating the energy spectrum and the wave functions of the low-lying magnetic levels of a lanthanoid ion submitted to the crystal field created by the surrounding ligands. This model allows us to propose general criteria for the rational design of new mononuclear lanthanoid complexes behaving as single-molecule magnets (SMMs) or acting as robust spin qubits. Three typical environments exhibited by these metal complexes are considered, namely, (a) square antiprism, (b) triangular dodecahedron, and (c) trigonal prism. The developed model is used to explain the properties of some representative examples showing these geometries. Key questions in this area, such as the chemical tailoring of the superparamagnetic energy barrier, tunneling gap, or spin relaxation time, are discussed. Finally, in order to take into account delocalization and/or covalent effects of the ligands, this point-charge model is complemented with ab initio calculations, which provide accurate information on the charge distribution around the metal, allowing for an explanation of the SMM behavior displayed by some sandwich-type organometallic compounds.

Modeling the properties of uranium-based single ion magnets

We analyze the magnetic behavior of the five uranium-based SIMs reported in the literature. By combining a corrected crystal field model with the magnetic experimental data, we obtain the lowest-lying magnetic levels and the associated wave functions of the nanomagnets, which are found to be compatible with the observed SMM behavior. Additionally, this approach has allowed us to propose some geometrical considerations and practical advice for experimentalists aiming for the rational design of SIMs and spin qubits based on uranium.

Fragmenting Gadolinium: Mononuclear Polyoxometalate-Based Magnetic Coolers for Ultra-Low Temperatures

The polyoxometalate clusters with formula [Gd(W(5) O(18) )(2) ](9-) and [Gd(P(5) W(30) O(110) )](12-) each carry a single magnetic ion of gadolinium, which is the most widespread element among magnetic refrigerant materials. In an adiabatic demagnetization, the lowest attainable temperature is limited by the presence of magnetic interactions that bring about magnetic order below a critical temperature. We demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome by chemically engineering the molecules in such a way to effectively screen all magnetic interactions, suggesting their use as ultra-low-temperature coolers.

SIMPRE: a software package to calculate crystal field parameters, energy levels, and magnetic properties on mononuclear lanthanoid complexes based on charge distributions.

This work presents a fortran77 code based on an effective electrostatic model of point charges around a rare earth ion. The program calculates the full set of crystal field parameters, energy levels spectrum, and wave functions, as well as the magnetic properties such as the magnetization, the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, and the Schottky contribution to the specific heat. It is designed for real systems that need not bear ideal symmetry and it is able to determine the easy axis of magnetization. Its systematic application to different coordination environments allows magneto‐structural studies. The package has already been successfully applied to several mononuclear systems with single‐molecule magnetic behavior. The determination of effective point charge parameters in these studies facilitates its application to new systems. In this article, we illustrate its usage with two example studies: (a) an ideal cubic structure coordinating a lanthanoid ion and (b) a system with slow relaxation of the magnetization, LiHoxY(1‐x)F4.

Multi-frequency EPR studies of a mononuclear holmium single-molecule magnet based on the polyoxometalate [HoIII(W5O18)2]9−

Continuous-wave, multi-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies are reported for a series of single-crystal and powder samples containing different dilutions of a recently discovered mononuclear Ho(III) (4f(10)) single-molecule magnet (SMM) encapsulated in a highly symmetric polyoxometalate (POM) cage. The encapsulation offers the potential for applications in molecular spintronics devices, as it preserves the intrinsic properties of the nanomagnet outside of the crystal. A significant magnetic anisotropy arises due to a splitting of the Hunds coupled total angular momentum (J = L + S = 8) ground state in the POM ligand field. Thus, high-frequency (50.4 GHz) EPR studies reveal a highly anisotropic eight line spectrum corresponding to transitions within the lowest m(J) = ±4 doublet, split by a strong hyperfine interaction with the I = 7/2 Ho nucleus (100% natural abundance). X-band EPR studies reveal the presence of an appreciable tunneling gap between the m(J) = ±4 doublet states having the same nuclear spin projection, leading to a highly non-linear field-dependence of the spectrum at low-frequencies.

Electrically Switchable Magnetic Molecules: Inducing a Magnetic Coupling by Means of an External Electric Field in a Mixed‐Valence Polyoxovanadate Cluster

Herein we evaluate the influence of an electric field on the coupling of two delocalized electrons in the mixed-valence polyoxometalate (POM) [GeV14 O40 ](8-) (in short V14 ) by using both a t-J model Hamiltonian and DFT calculations. In absence of an electric field the compound is paramagnetic, because the two electrons are localized on different parts of the POM. When an electric field is applied, an abrupt change of the magnetic coupling between the two delocalized electrons can be induced. Indeed, the field forces the two electrons to localize on nearest-neighbors metal centers, leading to a very strong antiferromagnetic coupling. Both theoretical approaches have led to similar results, emphasizing that the sharp spin transition induced by the electric field in the V14 system is a robust phenomenon, intramolecular in nature, and barely influenced by small changes on the external structure.

Coherent manipulation of spin qubits based on polyoxometalates: the case of the single ion magnet [GdW30P5O110]14−

Polyoxometalate single ion magnet [GdW30P5O110](14-) (1) has been studied by generalized Rabi oscillation experiments. It was possible to increase the number of coherent rotations tenfold through matching the Rabi frequency with the frequency of the proton. Achieving high coherence with polyoxometalate chemistry, we show its excellent potential not only for the storage of quantum information but even for the realization of quantum algorithms.

Self-assembly of an iron(II)-based M5L6 metallosupramolecular cage

A pentanuclear M(5)L(6) coordination cage is self-assembled in solution from a rigid linear heteroditopic phen-tpy ligand and an iron (II) salt.

Single ion magnets based on lanthanoid polyoxomolybdate complexes

Polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry has recently offered excellent examples of single ion magnets (SIMs) and molecular spin qubits. Compared with conventional coordination compounds, POMs provide rigid and highly symmetric coordination sites. However, all POM-based SIMs reported to date exhibit a very limited range of possibilities for chemical processability. We present herein two new families of POM-based SIMs which are soluble in organic solvents: [Ln(β-Mo8O26)2]5- {LnIII = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb} and the functionalised POMs [Ln{Mo5O13(OMe)4NNC6H4-p-NO2}2]3- {LnIII = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Nd}. In addition, these two families represent the first SIMs based on polyoxomolybdates. A magneto-structural analysis of these families is presented, which is based on an effective crystal field model, and compared with the results reported in analogous lanthanoid SIMs based on polyoxotungstates.