Recent advance in heterometallic nanomagnets based on TMxLn4−x cubane subunits.

Graphical abstract Highlights • 3d-4f cubane-like complexes were reviewed. • The possible synthetic strategies of 3d-4f cubane-like complexes were reviewed. • The magnetic exchanges of 3d-4f cubane-like complexes were reviewed. • The magnetocaloric effect of 3d-4f cubane-like complexes were reviewed. • The single-molecule magnet properties of 3d-4f cubane-like complexes were reviewed. Abstract 3d-4f cubane-like complexes exhibit unique structural pattern, thus become a fascinating subclass of 3d-4f complexes. In this review, we first present the structural classification and the possible synthetic strategies towards this peculiar structure, then we focus on its magnetic properties. Inside a cubane core, spin carriers are forced to be near each other yielding significant d-d, d-f, and f-f magnetic exchanges which are summarized. As multinuclear complexes, 3d-4f cubane clusters could be applied for the magnetocaloric effect (MCE), especially with the isotropic MnII and GdIII ions. Then their single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties are described. We collect reported 3d-4f cubane complexes and attempt to demonstrate the correlations of magnetic exchange, MCE, and SMM properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]