David and Valentin's investigation of the magnetic properties and synthetic applications of a series of transition metal precursors is now published in the Dalton Transaction.

Molecular magnetic materials are potential candidates for future technical applications. One promising species are transition metal complexes, which can either work as single molecule magnets, but also be utilized as molecular quantum bits. For an easy and practicable access to magnetic molecules, an efficient synthetic route is needed. In this work, usability, magnetic properties and the spin structures of three transition metal synthons based on Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) is presented. All molecules offer easy access to sophisticated and potent molecular magnetic materials.