Chemisorption of lanthanide single-molecule magnets on surfaces

Lanthanide single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have gained more attention compared to transition metal SMMs since the discovery of the seminal terbium(III) bis-phthalocyaninato SMM [TbPc₂] in 2003. Their magnetic bistability characterization below blocking temperature (T _B) shows promise in high-density information storage, quantum computing and molecular spintronics. Besides pushing T _B to near room temperature, their deposition on surface is the prerequisite for practical applications. This review highlights examples of chemisorption of lanthanide SMMs on diverse substrate surfaces, offering perspectives so as to guide their chemical tailoring and to further promote potential applications. Strategies are presented that address key challenges to maintain, or even to enhance their SMM properties on surface. These examples sketch a blueprint for the preparation of self-assembled monolayer from target SMMs solution, as well as guidelines for the engineering of practical applications based on SMMs.