Enhancing the effective energy barrier of a Dy(III) SMM using a bridged diamagnetic Zn(II) ion

Field induced single-molecule-magnet behaviour is observed for both a heterodinuclear [ZnDy(L-)(2)](3+) complex (1) and a mononuclear [Dy(HL)(2)](3+) complex (2), with effective energy barriers of 83 cm(-1) and 16 cm(-1), respectively. Insights into the relaxation mechanism(s) and barrier heights are provided via ab initio and DFT calculations. Our findings reveal an interesting observation that the U-eff of SMMs can be enhanced by incorporating diamagnetic metal ions.