S-functionalized tripods with monomethylene spacers: Routes to tetrairon(III) single-molecule magnets with ultrashort tethering groups

The organization of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) on surfaces is a mainstream research path in molecular magnetism. Of special importance is the control of grafting geometry in chemisorbed monolayers on metal surfaces. We herein present the synthesis, solid-state structure, and magnetic characterization of propeller-like tetrairon(III) SMMs containing the shortest-reported tethering groups for gold surfaces. Functionalization of molecular structure is attained using 2-R-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol tripodal proligands (H3LR). The R substituents comprise a monomethylene spacer and three different terminations known to act as stable precursors of S-Au bonds (R = CH2SCN, CH2SAc and CH2SSnBu). These chemical groups are shown to be chemically compatible with the tetrairon(III) core and to afford fully-functional SMMs in crystalline form and in fair to excellent yields.