Enhancing the effective energy barrier of a Dy(iii) SMM using a bridged diamagnetic Zn(ii) ion

Field induced single-molecule-magnet behaviour is observed for both a heterodinuclear ZnDy(L(-))2(3+) complex (1) and a mononuclear Dy(HL)2(3+) complex (2), with effective energy barriers of 83 cm(-1) and 16 cm(-1), respectively. Insights into the relaxation mechanism(s) and barrier heights are provided via ab initio and DFT calculations. Our findings reveal an interesting observation that the U(eff) of SMMs can be enhanced by incorporating diamagnetic metal ions.