Phys.org  April 13, 2022 Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are molecules that can retain magnetic polarization in the absence of an external magnetic field and embody the ultimate size limit for spin-based information storage and processing. An international team of researchers (USA – Michigan State University, UK) synthesized two bismuth-cluster-bridged lanthanide complexes via a solution organometallic approach. The neutral heterometallocubane core features lanthanide centers that are bridged by a rare Bi66− Zintl ion, which supports strong ferromagnetic interactions between lanthanides. This afforded the rare observation of magnetic blocking and open hysteresis loops for superexchange-coupled SMMs comprising solely lanthanide ions. The small scale […]