Multifunctional Properties in {CuII2LnIII2} System Involving Nitrogen-Rich Nitronyl Nitroxide: Single-Molecule Magnet, Luminescence, Magnetocaloric Effect and Heat Capacity

A series of nitrogen-rich nitronyl nitroxide radical PPNIT (1)-based (PPNIT = 2-(1-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) 3d–4f ring-shaped tetranuclear clusters [Ln2Cu2(hfac)10(PPNIT)2(H2O)2]·CHCl3 (LnIII = Gd 2, Tb 3, Dy 4; hfac = hexafiuoroacetylacetonate) with multifunctional properties were isolated. The magnetic behavior, luminescence and heat capacity of the 3d–4f complexes were investigated, displaying interesting multiple properties of the molecular materials. The Gd derivative shows a magnetocaloric effect with the maximum entropy change (−ΔSm) of 15.3 J kg−1 K−1 at 2 K for ΔH = 70 kOe. The Tb cluster exhibits spin glass behavior and the characteristic fluorescence emission of the TbIII ion, while the Dy cluster exhibits SMM behaviour, and the heat capacity has been investigated. Notably, in nitronyl nitroxide radical–metal systems, the investigation of diverse properties is still scarce so far. This work can pave the way towards the synthesis of multifunctional materials that combine SMM behavior, and optical or/and thermodynamic properties.