Single-Ion Magnet Et₄N[Co^II(hfac)₃] with Nonuniaxial Anisotropy: Synthesis, Experimental Characterization, and Theoretical Modeling

Abstract

In this article we report the synthesis and structure of the new Co(II) complex Et₄N[Co^II(hfac)₃] (I) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) exhibiting single-ion magnet (SIM) behavior. The performed analysis of the magnetic characteristics based on the complementary experimental techniques such as static and dynamic magnetic measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with the theoretical modeling (parametric Hamiltonian and ab initio calculations) demonstrates that the SIM properties of I arise from the nonuniaxial magnetic anisotropy with strong positive axial and significant rhombic contributions.