The lecture focuses on the tailor-made design of trimetallic transition metal complexes (type I) as model systems of single-molecule magnets. Specific attention is paid to the deposition of these complexes in form of thin films on various substrates by means of spin-coating, allowing the magneto-optical characterization of films of type I complexes. Influencing factors on the magnetic properties of the complexes as well as on the thin film qualities will be shown in detail.

Above, left: Schematic representation of type I complexes. Above, right: Crystal structure of a selected type I complex. Below: Polarization microscopy (a, b and d) and scanning electron microscopy image (c) of thin films of selected type I complexes.