Magnetostructural correlations in tetrairon(III) single-molecule magnets

Tunable single-molecule magnets: The spin-level landscape in a series of Fe(III) (4) single-molecule magnets with propeller-like structure was analyzed by means of high-frequency EPR spectroscopy. The zero-field splitting parameter D of the ground S=5 spin state correlates strongly with the pitch of the propeller gamma (see picture), and thus provides a simple link between molecular structure and magnetic behavior.We report three novel tetrairon(III) single-molecule magnets with formula [Fe(4)(L)(2)(dpm)(6)] (Hdpm=2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione), prepared by using pentaerythritol monoether ligands H(3)L=R'OCH(2)C(CH(2)OH)(3) with R'=allyl (1), (R,S)-2-methyl-1-butyl (2), and (S)-2-methyl-1-butyl (3), along with a new crystal phase of the complex containing H(3)L=11-(acetylthio)-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)- undecan-1-ol (4). High-frequency EPR (HF-EPR) spectra at low temperature were collected on powder samples in order to determine the zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters in the ground S=5 spin state. In 1-4 and in other eight isostructural compounds previously reported, a remarkable correlation is found between the axial zfs parameter D and the pitch gamma of the propeller-like structure. The relationship is directly demonstrated by 1, which features both structurally and magnetically inequivalent molecules in the crystal. The dynamics of magnetization has been investigated by ac susceptometry, and the results analyzed by master-matrix calculations. The large rhombicities of 2 and 3 were found to be responsible for the fast magnetic relaxation observed in the two compounds. However, complex 3 shows an additional faster relaxation mechanism which is unaccounted for by the set of spin Hamiltonian parameters determined by HF-EPR.