An organolanthanide(iii) single-molecule magnet with an axial crystal-field: influence of the Raman process over the slow relaxation.

Here, we report the synthesis and magnetic properties investigation of a series of new organometallic homoleptic complexes Li(DME)3 [Ln(DAD)2 ] (Ln = Dy (1a, 1b), Tb(2), and Er(3)) based on paramagnetic Ln(iii) ions coordinated by an ene-diamido[2,6-iPr2 C6 H3 N-CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-NC6 H3 iPr2 -2,6]2- (DAD) ligand. Dy-based compounds exhibit a genuine single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, while the Tb3+ analogue shows a field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetisation.