A series of [2 × 2] square grid LnIII4 clusters: a large magnetocaloric effect and single-molecule-magnet behavior

Abstract

Four new [2 × 2] square grid LnIII4 clusters were successfully synthesized by employing a multidentate chelating Schiff base ligand. Magnetic studies showed that cluster <bold>1</bold> displays a larger magnetocaloric effect (−Δ<italic>S</italic>_m = 34.46 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ for Δ<italic>H</italic> = 7.0 T at 2.0 K), while <bold>3</bold> exhibits slow relaxation behavior under a zero dc field, with Δ<italic>E</italic>/<italic>k</italic>_B of 42.76 K and <italic>τ</italic>₀ of 1.02 × 10⁻⁶ s.