Coherent control of individual molecular spins in nano-devices is a pivotal prerequisite for fulfilling the potential promised by molecular spintronics. By applying electric field pulses during timeresolved electron spin resonance measurements, we measure the sensitivity of the spin in several antiferromagnetic molecular nanomagnets to external electric fields. We find a linear electric field dependence of the spin states in Cr7Mn, an antiferromagnetic ring with a ground-state spin of S = 1, and in a frustrated Cu3 triangle, both with coefficients of about 2 rad s −1 /Vm −1 . Conversely, the antiferromagnetic ring Cr7Ni, isomorphic with Cr7Mn but with S = 1/2, does not exhibit a detectable effect. We propose that the spin-electric field coupling may be used for selectively controlling individual molecules embedded in nanodevices.

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The trinuclear copper(ii) complex [Cu3(saltag)(py)6]ClO4 (H5saltag = tris(2-hydroxybenzylidene)triaminoguanidine) was synthesized and characterized by experimental as well as theoretical methods.

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