Molecular nanomagnets have been undergoing development for 20 years since the first single-molecule magnet (SMM), Mn₁₂Ac, was characterized as the molecule-behaved magnet. The multi-disciplinary scientists promoted the magnetic characteristics to be more suitable for use in information science and spintronics. The concept of molecular nanomagnets has also evolved to include single-chain magnets (SCMs), single-ion magnets (SIMs) and even magnetic molecules that showed only slow magnetic relaxation, in addition to the initial cluster-type SMMs. In this review, several aspects, including SMMs, SCMs and SIMs, are introduced briefly through some representative examples. In particular, the contribution of Chinese chemists is highlighted in the design, synthesis and understanding of various types of molecular nanomagnets.
Keywords: molecular nanomagnet; single-chain magnet; single-ion magnet; single-molecule magnet.