A SIM-MOF: three-dimensional organisation of single-ion magnets with anion-exchange capabilities

The formation of a metal-organic framework (MOF) with nodes that have single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour has been achieved by using mononuclear lanthanoid analogues, also known as single-ion magnets (SIMs), which enormously simplifies the challenging issue of making SMM-MOFs. Here we present a rational design of a family of MOFs, [Ln(bipyNO)4](TfO)3⋅x solvent (Ln=Tb (1); Dy (2); Ho (3); Er (4); TfO=triflate), in which the lanthanoid centres have an square-antiprismatic coordination environment suitable for SIM behaviour. Magnetic measurements confirm the existence of slow magnetic relaxation typical of SMMs, which has been rationalised by means of a radial effective charge model. In addition, we have explored the incorporation of bulky polyoxometalates (POMs) into the cavities of the SIM-MOF by anion exchange, finding that they do not interfere with the slow magnetic relaxation. This demonstrates the robustness of the frameworks and opens the possibility of incorporating non-innocent anions.