The basic information on lanthanide single-molecule magnets (SMMs) has been introduced systematically in this chapter covering the magnetism of lanthanide, the characterization and relaxation dynamics of SMMs, and advanced means of studying lanthanide SMMs. In particular, the brief introduction to the single-crystal magnetic measurements and ab initio calculations of lanthanide SMMs demonstrate the up-to-date progresses on elucidating the magnetic anisotropy and relaxation mechanism of highly anisotropic lanthanide SMMs. Such basic knowledge is very essential for the readers to grasp the subject of this book.
Keywords Single-molecule magnet · Lanthanide ions · Magnetic anisotropy · Relaxation dynamics · Ab initio calculationsThis chapter will provide a basis for lanthanide single-molecule magnets [1, 2] (SMMs) ranging from the magnetism of lanthanide and the magnetic relaxation theory to advanced means for characterizing SMMs. We believe this basis is very essential for the readers to grasp the subject of this book. In 2011, Long et al. depicted the requisite electronic structure for a lanthanide complex to exhibit single-molecule magnetic behavior by applying a simple model [3]. Herein, the free-ion and crystal-field contributions to the 4f electronic structure are highlighted. Considering the complexity and specialty of the 4f-element electronic structure, we will introduce the magnetic properties of lanthanide ions in the first section of this chapter. The second part focuses on the characterization and relaxation dynamics of SMMs, which is a foundation for understanding and grasping this field for new and current researchers. Finally, lanthanide SMMs are discussed with an emphasis on the specialty in contrast to transition metal SMMs, especially the advanced means, such as angle-resolved magnetometry and ab initio calculations, which can provide a direct detection for the relationship between the crystal structure and magnetic properties, are introduced.