Synthesis, characterisation and magnetic study of a cyano-substituted dysprosium double decker single-molecule magnet

Bis(octacyanophthalocyanine)dysprosium(iii) (1) has been synthesised, characterised and magnetically studied. By the incorporation of cyano substituents on the phthalocyanine (Pc) rings, a starting point has been created for the chemical modification of double deckers for the purpose of surface self-assembly. The modification of the rings leaves the magnetic properties of the double decker largely unaffected. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry