Ordering phenomena and phase transitions in a spin-crossover compound-uncovering the nature of the intermediate phase of [Fe(2-pic)3]Cl2.EtOH

Novel organic NLO material bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate - A combined X-ray diffraction, DSC and vibrational spectroscopic study of its unique polymorphism

Three polymorphic modifications of bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate are reported, and their characterization is discussed in this paper. The non-centrosymmetric bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (I), which was obtained from an aqueous solution at 313K, belongs to the monoclinic space group Cc (a=6.2560(2)Å, b=18.6920(3)Å, c=18.2980(5)Å, β=96.249(1)°, V=2127.0(1)Å(3), Z=4, R=0.0314 for 4738 observed reflections). The centrosymmetric bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (II) was obtained from an aqueous solution at 298K and belongs to the monoclinic space group P21/n (a=6.1335(3)Å, b=11.7862(6)Å, c=14.5962(8)Å, β=95.728(2)°, V=1049.90(9)Å(3), Z=4, R=0.0420 for 2396 observed reflections). The cooling of the centrosymmetric phase (II) leads to the formation of bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (III) (a=6.1083(2)Å, b=11.3178(5)Å, c=14.9947(5)Å, β=93.151(2)°, V=1035.05(8)Å(3), Z=4, R=0.0345 for 2367 observed reflections and a temperature of 110K), which also belongs to the monoclinic space group P21/n. The crystal structures of the three characterized phases are generally based on layers of isolated N-phenylbiguanidium(1+) cations separated by oxalate anions and interconnected with them by several types of N-H(...)O hydrogen bonds. The observed phases generally differ not only in their crystal packing but also in the lengths and characteristics of their hydrogen bonds. The thermal behaviour of the prepared compounds was studied using the DSC method in the temperature range from 90K up to a temperature near the melting point of each crystal. The bis(N-phenylbiguanidium(1+)) oxalate (II) crystals exhibit weak reversible thermal effects on the DSC curve at 147K (heating run). Further investigation of this effect, which was assigned to the isostructural phase transformation, was performed using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis in a wide temperature range.

Symmetry breaking above room temperature in an Fe(ii) spin crossover complex with an N4O2 donor set

An halogen-substituted salicylaldimine iron(ii) complex shows an abrupt two-step spin transition above room temperature, variable temperature crystallography showing symmetry breaking.

Structural movies of the gradual spin-crossover in a molecular complex at various physical scales

The thermally induced Spin-CrossOver (SCO) undergone by the mononuclear iron(ii) complex [Fe(PM-AzA)₂(NCS)₂] (PM = N-2'-pyridylmethylene, AzA = 4-(phenylazo)aniline) is fully pictured by a quasi-continuous structural determination all along the spin-state modification within the sample. This large scale multi-temperature Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SCXRD) investigation leads to making structural movies. The latter reveal or confirm some features of the SCO that are subsequently validated by the same systematic investigation performed on a zinc isostructural analogue complex. Notably, the continuous views of the temperature dependencies of the unit-cell parameters, the dilatation tensors, the metal coordination sphere geometry and the intermolecular distances confirm a few of the structure-property relationships already known for SCO materials. In parallel, the examination of the temperature dependencies of the atomic coordinates and the atomic displacement parameters reveals unexpected behaviours in this gradual SCO material such as antagonistic atomic movements due to the single SCO and the pure thermal effects.

Four-step iron(ii) spin state cascade driven by antagonistic solid state interactions

A rare four-step spin crossover transition has been attained in a two-dimensional Hofmann-type material through the presence of an array of antagonistic host–host and host–guest interactions.

A four-stepped cascade of Fe(ii) high spin (HS) to low spin (LS) states is demonstrated in a family of 2-D Hofmann materials, [Fe₃^II(saltrz)₆(M^II(CN)₄)₃]·8(H₂O) (M^II = Pd (1^Pd), Pt (1^Pt); saltrz = (E)-2-(((4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)imino)methyl)phenol). Alongside the fully HS and LS Fe(ii) states, fractional spin state stabilization occurs at HS/LS values of 5/6, 2/3, and 1/6. This unconventional spin state periodicity is driven by the presence of multiple spin crossover (SCO) active Fe(ii) sites which are in subtly distinct environments driven by a network of antagonistic host–host and host–guest interactions. Alternating long- and short-range magnetostructural ordering is achieved over the five distinct spin state ratios HS^1.0LS^0.0, HS^0.833LS^0.167, HS^0.667LS^0.333, HS^0.167LS^0.833, and HS^0.0LS^1.0 owing to the flexibility of this 2-D interdigitated lattice topology interconnected by intermolecular interactions. A distinct wave-like spin state patterning is structurally evidenced for each intermediate phase.

Observation of a re-entrant phase transition in the molecular complex tris(μ2-3,5-diiso-propyl-1,2,4-triazolato-κ2N1:N2)trigold(I) under high pressure

We report a molecular crystal that exhibits four successive phase transitions under hydro-static pressure, driven by aurophilic interactions, with the ground-state structure re-emerging at high pressure. The effect of pressure on two polytypes of tris(μ2-3,5-diiso-propyl-1,2,4-triazolato-κ2N1:N2)trigold(I) (denoted Form-I and Form-II) has been analysed using luminescence spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and first-principles computation. A unique phase behaviour was observed in Form-I, with a complex sequence of phase transitions between 1 and 3.5 GPa. The ambient C2/c mother cell transforms to a P21/n phase above 1 GPa, followed by a P21/a phase above 2 GPa and a large-volume C2/c supercell at 2.70 GPa, with the previously observed P21/n phase then reappearing at higher pressure. The observation of crystallographically identical low- and high-pressure P21/n phases makes this a rare example of a re-entrant phase transformation. The phase behaviour has been characterized using detailed crystallographic theory and modelling, and rationalized in terms of molecular structural distortions. The dramatic changes in conformation are correlated with shifts of the luminescence maxima, from a band maximum at 14040 cm-1 at 2.40 GPa, decreasing steeply to 13550 cm-1 at 3 GPa. A similar study of Form-II displays more conventional crystallographic behaviour, indicating that the complex behaviour observed in Form-I is likely to be a direct consequence of the differences in crystal packing between the two polytypes.

First Step Towards a Devil's Staircase in Spin-Crossover Materials

The unprecedented bimetallic 2D coordination polymer {Fe[(Hg(SCN)3 )2 ](4,4'-bipy)2 }n exhibits a thermal high-spin (HS)↔low-spin (LS) staircase-like conversion characterized by a multi-step dependence of the HS molar fraction γHS . Between the fully HS (γHS =1) and LS (γHS =0) phases, two steps associated with different ordering appear in terms of spin-state concentration waves (SSCW). On the γHS ≈0.5 step, a periodic SSCW forms with a HS-LS-HS-LS sequence. On the γHS ≈0.34 step, the 4D superspace crystallography structural refinement reveals an aperiodic SSCW, with a HS-LS sequence incommensurate with the molecular lattice. The formation of these different long-range spatially ordered structures of LS and HS states during the multi-step spin-crossover is discussed within the framework of "Devil's staircase"-type transitions. Spatially modulated phases are known in various types of materials but are uniquely related to molecular HS/LS bistability in this case.

Spin crossover properties of enantiomers, co-enantiomers, racemates, and co-racemates

Spin-crossover Puzzle: SCO co-enantiomers, racemates, and co-racemates were successfully assembled via cocrystallization of four prefabricated enantiomeric iron(ii) modules 4R, 4S, 5R and 5S.

Room-temperature switching of magnetic hysteresis by reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal solvent exchange in imidazole-inspired Fe(ii) complexes

Molecular switch ON/OFF magnetic hysteresis around room temperature can be achieved by reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) solvent exchange in imidazole-inspired dihydroquinazoline Fe(ii) complexes.

Distortion Pathways of Transition Metal Coordination Polyhedra Induced by Chelating Topology

A continuous shape measures analysis of the coordination polyhedra of a host of transition metal complexes with bi- and multidentate ligands discloses the distortion pathway associated with each particular topology of the chelate rings formed. The basic parameter that controls the degree of distortion is the metal-donor atom bond distance that induces nonideal bond angles due to the rigidity of the ligands. Thus, the degree of distortion within each family of complexes depends on the atomic size, on which the high- or low-spin state has a large effect. Special attention is therefore paid to several spin-crossover systems and to the enhanced distortions that go along with the transition from low- to high-spin state affected by temperature, light, or pressure. Several families of complexes show deviations from the expected distortion pathways in the high-spin state that can be associated to the onset of intermolecular interactions such as secondary coordination of counterions or solvent molecules. Also, significant displacement of counterions in an extended solid may result from the changes in metal-ligand bond distances when ligands are involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

Out-of-equilibrium dynamics of photoexcited spin-state concentration waves

The spin crossover compound [FeIIH2L2-Me][PF6]2 presents a two-step phase transition. In the intermediate phase, a spin state concentration wave (SSCW) appears resulting from a symmetry breaking (cell doubling) associated with a long-range order of alternating high and low spin molecular states. By combining time-resolved optical and X-ray diffraction measurements on a single crystal, we study how such a system responds to femtosecond laser excitation and we follow in real time the erasing and rewriting of the SSCW.

Structural phase transition in a multi-induced mononuclear FeII spin-crossover complex

One mononuclear Fe^II complex displays a structural phase transition and a multi-induced spin-crossover behavior mediated by heat, light, pressure and solvent.

Electronic vs. structural ordering in a manganese(iii) spin crossover complex

A symmetry breaking spin transition in a Mn(iii) complex is reported with three structural phases, a high symmetry high temperature S = 2 phase, an intermediate S = 1/S = 2 ordered phase and an aperiodic low temperature phase with S = 1 cations.

Two-step spin crossover behaviour in the chiral one-dimensional coordination polymer [Fe(HAT)(NCS)2]∞

Two-step spin crossover behaviour with large stabilisation of the intermediate state in a chiral one-dimensional coordination polymer.

Spin crossover behaviour in one-dimensional FeIIcompounds based on the [M(CN)4]2−(M = Pd, Pt) units

Four one-dimensional heterobimetallic spin crossover coordination polymers {Fe(L)₂[M(CN)₄]}_n(M = Pd^IIand Pt^II) have been synthesized and characterized.

Influence of conformational changes on spin crossover properties and superstructure formation in 2D coordination polymers [Fe(hbtz)2(RCN)2](ClO4)2

Spin-crossover, governed by conformational changes of nitrile molecule, triggers corrugation of polymeric skeleton and formation of superstructure in [Fe(hbtz)₂(allyl cyanide)₂](ClO₄)₂.

Spin-crossover behavior in two new supramolecular isomers

Two spin-crossover (SCO) supramolecular isomers formulated as [Fe(Mebpt){Au(CN)2}]n·xH2O (1, x = 0, and 2·H2O, x = n, MebptH = 3-(5-methyl-2-pyridyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole) have been successfully isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. Structural analysis reveals that 1 is a two-dimensional coordination layer and 2·H2O is a one-dimensional coordination ladder structure, in which the Mebpt(-) ligands are coordinated in trans and cis bridging mode in 1 and 2·H2O, respectively. Dramatically, their SCO properties are further influenced by the octahedral coordination configuration of Fe(II). In 1, only the Fe(II) centers in trans configuration exhibit spin transition (Tc = 303 K), while in 2·H2O and the dehydrated 2, gradual two-step SCO (Tc1 = 235 K, Tc2 = 313 K) and one-step SCO behaviors (Tc = 315 K) occur, respectively.

A chiral spin crossover metal–organic framework

A rare chiral spin crossover metal–organic framework, [Fe^II(mptpy)₂]·solv, has been solvothermally synthesized through spontaneous resolution.

Spin state switching in iron coordination compounds

The article deals with coordination compounds of iron(II) that may exhibit thermally induced spin transition, known as spin crossover, depending on the nature of the coordinating ligand sphere. Spin transition in such compounds also occurs under pressure and irradiation with light. The spin states involved have different magnetic and optical properties suitable for their detection and characterization. Spin crossover compounds, though known for more than eight decades, have become most attractive in recent years and are extensively studied by chemists and physicists. The switching properties make such materials potential candidates for practical applications in thermal and pressure sensors as well as optical devices. The article begins with a brief description of the principle of molecular spin state switching using simple concepts of ligand field theory. Conditions to be fulfilled in order to observe spin crossover will be explained and general remarks regarding the chemical nature that is important for the occurrence of spin crossover will be made. A subsequent section describes the molecular consequences of spin crossover and the variety of physical techniques usually applied for their characterization. The effects of light irradiation (LIESST) and application of pressure are subjects of two separate sections. The major part of this account concentrates on selected spin crossover compounds of iron(II), with particular emphasis on the chemical and physical influences on the spin crossover behavior. The vast variety of compounds exhibiting this fascinating switching phenomenon encompasses mono-, oligo- and polynuclear iron(II) complexes and cages, polymeric 1D, 2D and 3D systems, nanomaterials, and polyfunctional materials that combine spin crossover with another physical or chemical property.