Triangulo -{Er$^{III}$$_{3}} complex showing field supported slow magnetic relaxation

The triangulo-{Er$_{3}$} complex [Er$_{3}$Cl(o-van)$_{3}$(OH)$_{2}$(H$_{2}$O)$_{5}$]Cl$_{3}$·nH$_{2}$O (n = 9.4; H(o-van) = o-vanillin) (1) was generated by an in situ method. The isolated Er(III) complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis and molecular spectroscopy. The results of single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have shown that 1 is built up of trinuclear [Er$_{3}$Cl(o-van)$_{3}$(OH)$_{2}$(H$_{2}$O)$_{5}$]$^{3+}$ complex cations, chloride anions and water solvate molecules. Within the complex cation the three Er(III) central atoms are placed at the apexes of a triangle which are bridged by three (o-van)$^{–}$ ligands with additional chelating functions and two μ$_{3}$-OH$^{–}$ ligands. Additionally five aqua and one chlorido ligands complete the octa-coordination of the three Er(III) atoms. AC susceptibility measurements reveal that the compound exhibits slow magnetic relaxation with two relaxation modes.