Triangulo-{Er(III)(3)} complex showing field supported slow magnetic relaxation

The triangulo-{Er(3)} complex [Er(3)Cl(o-van)(3)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(5)]Cl(3)·nH(2)O (n = 9.4; H(o-van) = o-vanillin) (1) was generated by an in situ method. The isolated Er(iii) complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis and molecular spectroscopy. The results of single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have shown that 1 is built up of trinuclear [Er(3)Cl(o-van)(3)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(5)](3+) complex cations, chloride anions and water solvate molecules. Within the complex cation the three Er(iii) central atoms are placed at the apexes of a triangle which are bridged by three (o-van)(−) ligands with additional chelating functions and two μ(3)-OH(−) ligands. Additionally five aqua and one chlorido ligands complete the octa-coordination of the three Er(iii) atoms. AC susceptibility measurements reveal that the compound exhibits slow magnetic relaxation with two relaxation modes.