Lanthanides in the frame of Molecular Magnetism

Department of Chemistry. INSTM, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

^a Corresponding author: dante.gatteschi@unifi.it

Published online: 3 July 2014

Abstract

Molecular magnetism is producing new types of materials which cover up to date aspects of basic science together with possible applications. This article highlights recent results from the point of view of lanthanides which are now intensively used to produce single molecule magnets, single chain and single ion magnets. After a short introduction reminding the main steps of development of molecular magnetism, the basic properties of lanthanides will be covered highlighting important features which are enhanced by the electronic structure of lanthanides, like spin frustration and chirality, anisotropy and non collinear axes in zero and one dimensional materials. A paragraph of conclusions will discuss what has been done and theperspectives to be expected.