Strong exchange anisotropy in orbitally degenerate complexes. A new possibility for designing single-molecule magnets with high blocking temperatures

Abstract A new approach to designing single-molecule magnets (SMM) with high spin-reorientation barriers is discussed. It is based on the use of orbitally degenerate metal complexes with a pronounced spin–orbit coupling exhibiting strongly anisotropic exchange interactions. Incorporation of such building blocks into an SMM cluster can drastically increase its magnetic anisotropy and blocking temperature. The use of the exchange anisotropy is an attractive alternative to the use of the single-ion anisotropy only.