Single-Molecule Magnets

Molecular magnets are compounds whose size and atomic organization give them unconventional magnetic properties. This opens up new prospects for the creation of magnetic materials with very high storage densities. Their properties are also used in many related fields, such as spin electronics, quantum computing and magnetic refrigeration.

Unlike solid magnets, molecular magnets are by nature objects obtained by synthetic chemistry techniques in solution: mainly by coordination chemistry, solvothermal chemistry and organometallic chemistry. This makes them easy to modify, manipulate and optimize, enabling the creation of a whole library of molecules.

Molecular magnets are part of a wider field of study: molecular magnetism. In the context of this article, we can't go into detail on all the objects and principles involved, and will deliberately restrict ourselves to the notion of the single-molecule magnet (SMM).

The aim of this article is to provide engineers, without claiming to be exhaustive, with the key notions needed to grasp the molecule-magnet concept and to anticipate a technological watch on the subject. Indeed, while the study of molecule magnets remains fundamental, the spectacular advances made since 2017 give reason to hope for a shift towards the application field in the near future.

At the end of the article, readers will find a glossary and a table of acronyms.