We perform magnetization sweeps on the high-performing
single-molecule
magnet [Dy(Cpttt)2][B(C6F5)4] (Cpttt = C5H2
t
Bu3-1,2,4;
t
Bu = C(CH3)3) to determine the quantum tunneling gap of the ground-state avoided
crossing at zero-field, finding a value on the order of 10–7 cm–1. In addition to the pure crystalline material,
we also measure the tunnel splitting of [Dy(Cpttt)2][B(C6F5)4] dissolved in
dichloromethane (DCM) and 1,2-difluorobenzene (DFB). We find that
concentrations of 200 or 100 mM [Dy(Cpttt)2][B(C6F5)4] in these solvents increases the
size of the tunneling gap compared to the pure sample, despite a similarity
in the strength of the dipolar fields, indicating that either a structural
or vibrational change due to the environment increases quantum tunneling
rates.