Single-molecule magnet properties of a monometallic dysprosium pentalene complex

The pentalene-ligated dysprosium complex [(?8-Pn†)Dy(Cp*)] (1Dy) (Pn† = [1,4-(iPr3Si)2C8H4]2–) and its magnetically dilute analogue are single-molecule magnets, with energy barriers of 245 cm–1. Whilst the [Cp*]– ligand in 1Dy provides a strong axial crystal field, the overall axiality of this system is attenuated by the unusual folded structure of the [Pn†]2– ligand.