Proton Control of the Lanthanoid Single-Ion Magnet Behavior of a Double-Decker Complex with an Indolenine-Substituted Annulene Ligand

Two double-decker complexes with annulene ligands functionalized with indolenine groups were synthesized and characterized. The position of the proton acting as a counterion on one of the four indolenine nitrogen atoms was determined by using DFT calculations. Deprotonation and protonation of the complex induced by adding a base and an acid, respectively, were monitored by using NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, a correlation among the degree of protonation of the complex, the opening of the hysteresis, and the slow relaxation time is discussed.