MagLAB is talking about us… “Molecular magnetic building blocks”

This study reports the first transition metal compounds featuring mixed fluoride–cyanide ligands. A significant enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy, as compared to the pure fluoride ligated compounds, is demonstrated by combined analysis of high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectroscopy and magnetization measurements.

What did scientists discover?

This study reports the first transition metal molecules featuring both fluorine and cyanide ligands (see “branches” attached to the metal atom (M) in the molecules at the top of the figure). A strong and significant enhancement of the non-uniformity of the magnetism, the “magnetic anisotropy” for the trans-[ReIVF4(CN)2]2– complex (shown in the upper right) was discovered by combined high-field magnetization and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy (see lower Figure).

Why is this important?

This research highlights an efficient new strategy for synthesizing molecular building blocks based on heavier transition metals that feature relatively large magnetic moments and very strong magnetic anisotropy. Such building blocks may form the basis for future high-performance magnetic materials used in high-density information storage applications.

Read more on MagLab website:

https://nationalmaglab.org/user-facilities/emr/emr-publications/highlights-emr/molecular-magnetic-building-blocks