Oximate-bridged trinuclear Dy-Cu-Dy complex behaving as a single-molecule magnet and its mechanistic investigation.

Lanthanide ions are supposed to be promising candidates for the elements of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) because of the large magnetic momentum and anisotropy. We have established the [Dy2Cu] complex as a new SMM. A plausible mechanism for quantum tunneling of magnetization is proposed for the first time among the 4f-3d heterometallic SMMs. The magnetic coupling parameter between Dy and Cu ions was well-defined as -0.155 K.