2. Molecular nanomagnets

2.1 Definition and summary

Although there is no formal definition of Molecular Nano Magnets (MN) , nanometer-sized materials, there is a general consensus on the characteristics that distinguish them from conventional magnets and magnetic nanoparticles :

• their basic components are molecular, either metal complexes (inorganic, metallo-organic or organometallic), or organic radicals, or a combination. Their composition can therefore vary from purely inorganic to purely organic;

• their production...