Solvent responsive magnetic dynamics of a dinuclear dysprosium single-molecule magnet

A new dysprosium(III) phosphonate dimer {Dy(notpH₄)(NO ₃)(H₂O)}₂×8 H₂O (1) [notpH₆=1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triyl-tris(methylenephosphonic acid)] that contains two equivalent Dy^III ions with a three-capped trigonal prism environment is reported. Complex 1 can be transformed into {Dy(notpH₄)(NO₃)(H₂O)}₂ (2) in a reversible manner by desorption and absorption of solvent water at ambient temperature. This process is accompanied by a large dielectric response. Magnetic studies reveal that both 1 and 2 show thermally activated magnetization relaxation as expected for single-molecule magnets. Moreover, the magnetic dynamics of the two compounds can be manipulated by controlling the number of solvent molecules at room temperature. Under control! The magnetic dynamics of a dinuclear single-molecule magnet {Dy(notpH₄)(NO₃)(H ₂O)}₂× 8 H₂O (see figure; notpH ₆=1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triyltris(methylenephosphonic acid)) can be manipulated by controlling the number of solvent molecules at room temperature.