Half-Integer Spin Triangles: Old Dogs, New Tricks

Abstract

Spin triangles, that is, triangular complexes of half-integer spins, are the oldest molecular nanomagnets (MNMs). Their magnetic properties have been studied long before molecular magnetism was delineated as a research field. This Review presents the history of their study, with references to the parallel development of new experimental investigations and new theoretical ideas used for their interpretation. It then presents an indicative list of spin-triangle families to illustrate their chemical diversity. Finally, it makes reference to recent developments in terms of theoretical ideas and new phenomena, as well as to the relevance of spin triangles to spintronic devices and new physics.

Keywords: half-integer spins; magnetism; molecular nanomagnets; spin triangles.