Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) that contain one spin centre (so-called single-ion magnets) theoretically represent the smallest possible unit for spin-based electronic devices. These molecules hold the promise to revolutionize computing and change the methodology by which we store, employ and process information.

Three cationic [Ln4 ] squares (Ln=lanthanide) were isolated as single crystals and their structures solved as [Dy4 (μ4 -OH)(HL)(H2 L)3 (H2 O)4 ]Cl2 ⋅(CH3 OH)4 ⋅(H2 O)8 (1), [Tb4 (μ4 -OH)(HL)(H2 L)3 (MeOH)4 ]Cl2 ⋅(CH3 OH)4 ⋅(H2 O)4 (2) and [Gd4 (μ4 -OH)(HL)(H2 L)3 (H2 O)2 (MeOH)2 ]Br2 ⋅(CH3 OH)4 ⋅(H2 O)3 (3). The structures are described as hydroxo-centered squares of lanthanide ions, with each edge of the square bridged by a doubly deprotonated H2 L(2-) ligand. Alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements show frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals with two different thermally assisted relaxation processes for 1, whereas no maxima in χM " appears above 2.0 K for complex 2. For 1, the estimated effective energy barrier for these two relaxation processes is 29 and 100 K. Detailed ab initio studies reveal that complex 1 possesses a toroidal magnetic moment. The ab initio calculated anisotropies of the metal ions in complex 1 were employed to simulate the magnetic susceptibility by using the Lines model (POLY_ANISO) and this procedure yields J1 =+0.01 and J2 =-0.01 cm(-1) for 1 as the two distinct exchange interactions between the Dy(III) ions. Similar parameters are also obtained for complex 1 (and 2) from specific heat measurements. A very weak antiferromagnetic super-exchange interaction (J1 =-0.043 cm(-1) and g=1.99) is observed between the metal centers in 3. The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was estimated by using field-dependent magnetization and temperature-dependent heat-capacity measurements. An excellent agreement is found for the -ΔSm values extracted from these two measurements for all three complexes. As expected, 3 shows the largest -ΔSm variation (23 J Kg(-1)  K(-1) ) among the three complexes. The negligible magnetic anisotropy of Gd indeed ensures near degeneracy in the (2S+1) ground state microstates, and the weak super-exchange interaction facilitates dense population of low-lying excited states, all of which are likely to contribute to the MCE, making complex 3 an attractive candidate for cryogenic refrigeration.

The feasibility and value of Pb solid-state NMR experiments on compounds featuring lead tetrel bonds is explored. Although the definition remains to be formalized, lead tetrel bonds may be qualitatively described as existing when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between an electrophilic region associated with lead in a molecular entity and a nucleophilic region in another, or the same, molecular entity. Unambiguous identification of lead tetrel bonds can be challenging due to the hypervalent tendency of lead. We report here a series ofPb solid-state NMR experiments on five metal-organic frameworks featuring lead coordinated to hydrazone-based ligands. Such frameworks may be held together in part by lead tetrel bonds. The acquisition of Pb solid-state NMR spectra for such materials is feasible and is readily accomplished using a combination of magic-angle spinning and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill methods in moderate to low applied magnetic fields. The lead centres are characterized byPb isotropic chemical shifts ranging from -426 to -2591 ppm and chemical shift tensor spans ranging from 910 to 2681 ppm. Careful inspection of the structures of the compounds and the literature Pb NMR data may suggest that a tetrel bond to lead results in chemical shift parameters which are intermediate between those which are characteristic of holodirected and hemidirected lead coordination geometries. Challenges associated with DFT computations of thePb NMR parameters are discussed. In summary, the Pb data for the compounds studied herein show a marked response to the presence of non-coordinating electron-rich moieties in close contact with the electrophilic surface of formally hemidirectionally coordinated lead compounds.

Studies of three related Cd(II) systems (a discrete [Cd(II)2] unit, a one-dimensional [Cd(II)2]n coordination polymer and a Cd(II)-based MOF) all derived from the ligand 2,4,6-tris(2-pyrimidyl)-1,3,5-triazine, reveal an exceptionally rare example of (113)Cd-(113)Cd J coupling in the polymer that is detectable by solid-state NMR ((2)JCd-Cd = ∼65 Hz).