Lanthanides in molecular magnetism: so fascinating, so challenging

Due to their usual large magnetic moments and large magnetic anisotropy lanthanide ions are investigated for the search of Single Molecule Magnets with high blocking temperature. However, the low symmetry crystal environment, the complexity of the electronic states or the non-collinearity of the magnetic anisotropy easy-axes in polynuclear systems make the rationalization of the magnetic behaviour of lanthanide based molecular systems difficult. In this perspective article we expose a methodology in which the use of additional characterization techniques, like single crystal magnetic measurements or luminescence experiments, complemented by relativistic ab initio calculations and a suitable choice of spin Hamiltonian models, can be of great help in order to overcome such difficulties, representing an essential step for the rational design of lanthanide based Single Molecule Magnets with enhanced physical properties.