Rational engineering of dimeric Dy-based Single-Molecule Magnets for surface grafting

The deposition of Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) on surfaces is a mandatory step toward their possible use as data-storage units or qubits. In this study we report the structural and magnetic characterization of two parent compounds of a well-known SMM called DyPyNO, ([Dy(hfac)(3)(PyNO)](2) with hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate and PyNO = pyridine-N-oxide), that are targeted to be deposited on gold surfaces. Thio-substitution of the pyridine ring of these dimers is expected to provide good anchoring group toward deposition on gold. We have investigated two significantly different geometries of the anchoring groups in dimers 1 and 2. Interestingly, despite these strong differences, SMM behavior is remarkably well-preserved in the polycrystalline material offering possibilities to graft these SMMs on surface. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.