Futuristic storage devices: Single molecular magnets of rare earths versus spin crossover systems of earth-abundant metals

Molecular toolkit is a crucial part of futuristic spintronics and quantum information technologies. Magnetic bistability is the basis for such applications, which can be achieved by spin crossover (SCO) systems and single molecular magnets (SMMs). The SCO phenomenon relies on cooperativity, while the latter defies it. For the first time, a recent report by Galán-Mascarós and coworkers outlined the occurrence of memory effect in a trinuclear iron spin crossover system through its incorporation in a solid-state diamagnetic matrix or as a dilute solution. The fact that this molecule can show a memory effect on dilution, almost at a molecular level, opens up new possibilities for SCO systems doubling up as single-molecule magnets at elevated temperatures in the foreseeable future.

Graphical abstract

Memory effect in a trinuclear iron spin crossover system by incorporating it in a solid-state diamagnetic matrix or as a dilute solution opens up new vistas in molecular magnetism is detailed in this article.