Iron(III) spin-crossover compounds with a wide apparent thermal hysteresis around room temperature

Iron(II) Spin Crossover Complex with the 1,2,3-Triazole-Containing Linear Pentadentate Schiff-Base Ligand and the MeCN Monodentate Ligand

A mononuclear iron(II) complex bearing the linear pentadentate N5 Schiff-base ligand containing two 1,2,3-triazole moieties and the MeCN monodentate ligand, [FeIIMeCN(L3-Me-3Ph)](BPh4)2·MeCN·H2O (1), have been prepared (L3-Me-3Ph = bis(N,N′-1-Phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-methylideneaminopropyl)methylamine). Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed an incomplete one-step spin crossover (SCO) from the room-temperature low-spin (LS, S = 0) state to a mixture of the LS and high-spin (HS, S = 2) species at the higher temperature of around 400 K upon first heating, which is irreversible on the consecutive cooling mode. The magnetic modulation at around 400 K was induced by the crystal-to-amorphous transformation accompanied by the loss of lattice MeCN solvent, which was evident from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies and themogravimetry. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies showed that the complex is in the LS state (S = 0) between 296 and 387 K. In the crystal lattice, the complex-cations and B(1)Ph4− ions are alternately connected by intermolecular CH···π interactions between the methyl group of the MeCN ligand and phenyl groups of B(1)Ph4− ions, forming a 1D chain structure. The 1D chains are further connected by P4AE (parallel fourfold aryl embrace) interactions between two neighboring complex-cations, constructing a 2D extended structure. B(2)Ph4− ions and MeCN lattice solvents exist in the spaces of the 2D layer. DFT calculations verified that the 1,2,3-triazole-containing ligand L3-Me-3Ph gives a stronger ligand field around the octahedral coordination environment of the iron(II) ion than the analogous imidazole-containing ligand H2L2Me (= bis(N,N′-2-methylimidazol-4-yl-methylideneaminopropyl)methylamine) of the known compound [FeIIMeCN(H2L2Me)](BPh4)1.5·Cl0.5·0.5MeCN (2) reported by Matsumoto et al. (Nishi, K.; Fujinami, T.; Kitabayashi, A.; Matsumoto, N. Tetrameric spin crossover iron(II) complex constructed by imidazole⋯chloride hydrogen bonds. Inorg. Chem. Commun. 2011, 14, 1073–1076), resulting in the much higher spin transition temperature of 1 than that of 2.

High-Temperature Cooperative Spin Crossover Transitions and Single-Crystal Reflection Spectra of [FeIII(qsal)2](CH3OSO3) and Related Compounds

New Fe(III) compounds from qsal ligand, [Fe(qsal)2](CH3OSO3) (1) and [Fe(qsal)2](CH3SO3)·CH3OH (3), along with known compound, [Fe(qsal)2](CF3SO3) (2), were obtained as large well-shaped crystals (Hqsal = N-(8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine). The compounds 1 and 2 were in the low-spin (LS) state at 300 K and exhibited a cooperative spin crossover (SCO) transition with a thermal hysteresis loop at higher temperatures, whereas 3 was in the high-spin (HS) state below 300 K. The optical conductivity spectra for 1 and 3 were calculated from the single-crystal reflection spectra, which were, to the best of our knowledge, the first optical conductivity spectra of SCO compounds. The absorption bands for the LS and HS [Fe(qsal)2] cations were assigned by time-dependent density functional theory calculations. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 consisted of a common one-dimensional (1D) array of the [Fe(qsal)2] cation, whereas that of 3 had an unusual 1D arrangement by π-stacking interactions which has never been reported. The crystal structures in the high-temperature phases for 1 and 2 indicate that large structural changes were triggered by the motion of counter anions. The comparison of the crystal structures of the known [Fe(qsal)2] compounds suggests the significant role of a large non-spherical counter-anion or solvate molecule for the total lattice energy gain in the crystal of a charged complex.

Abrupt spin crossover in iron(iii) complexes with aromatic anions

Two iron(iii) complexes, [Fe(qsal-X)₂]OTs·nH₂O, are found to exhibit abrupt spin crossover with the spin transition temperature substituent dependent, and X⋯O halogen bonds linking the spin centres.

Spin switching in tris(8-aminoquinoline)iron(ii)(BPh4)2: quantitative guest-losing dependent spin crossover properties and single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation

As a derivative of 2-picolylamine, which contains rich protons favouring hydrogen bond formation to assemble a variety of valuable spin crossover (SCO) compounds, 8-aminoquinoline (aqin) will be a good candidate for constructing new mononuclear bistable state compounds. With the guidance of this view, two solvated compounds [Fe(aqin)3](BPh4)2·2(CH3CN) (1·2CH3CN) and [Fe(aqin)3](BPh4)2·1.5(CH3COCH3) (2·1.5CH3COCH3) were synthesized. The structural characterization and magnetic studies demonstrate that this strategy has been successful. Single-crystal diffraction reveals that both the mononuclear compounds have facial (fac-)-configuration cations, which form hydrogen bonds using -NH2 groups with solvent molecules (acetonitrile or acetone). Subsequent magnetic measurement shows the highly sensitive solvent-dependent occurrence of a spin transition above room temperature for both compounds. Interestingly, for compound 1·2CH3CN, in the successively repeated heating and cooling process, by monitoring the loss of solvent molecules by TGA, the shifting of the spin transition curve is found to be linearly dependent on the fraction of the residual solvent content. Additionally, the desolvated sample can re-solvate with CH3CN and recover the magnetic response reproducibly. Furthermore, after losing the acetonitrile molecules, the single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation occurred to give 1.

Unravelling the spin-state of solvated [Fe(bpp)2]2+ spin-crossover complexes: structure-function relationship

This paper reports firstly the syntheses, crystal structures, and thermal and magnetic properties of spin crossover salts of formulae [Fe(bpp)₂]₃[Cr(CN)₆]₂·13H₂O (1) and [Fe(bpp)₂][N(CN)₂]₂·H₂O (2) (bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine) exhibiting hydrogen-bonded networks of low-spin [Fe(bpp)₂]²⁺ complexes and [Cr(CN)₆]^3- or [N(CN)₂]^- anions, with solvent molecules located in the voids. Desolvation of 1 is accompanied by a complete low-spin (LS) to a high-spin (HS) transformation that becomes reversible after rehydration by exposing the sample to the humidity of air. The influence of the lattice water on the magnetic properties of spin-crossover [Fe(bpp)₂]X₂ complex salts has been documented. In most cases, it stabilises the LS state over the HS one. In other cases, it is rather the contrary. The second part of this paper is devoted to unravelling the reasons why the lattice solvent stabilises one form over the other through magneto-structural correlations of [Fe(bpp)₂]²⁺ salts bearing anions with different charge/size ratios (X^n-). The [Fe(bpp)₂]²⁺ stacking explaining these two different behaviours is correlated here with the composition of the second coordination sphere of the Fe centers and the ability of these anions to form hydrogen bonds and/or π-π stacking interactions between them or the bpp ligand.

Spin-state modulation of molecular FeIII complexes via inclusion in halogen-bonded supramolecular networks

The cationic complex [Fe(qsal)₂]⁺ (Hqsal = N-(8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine) is encapsulated in anionic halogen-bonded 1D and 2D networks derived from sym-triiodotrifluorobenzene, [(C₆F₃I₃)Cl]^- and [(C₆F₃I₃)I]^-. Structural analysis and magnetic measurements show that the spin-state of this complex can be modulated by its inclusion in supramolecular host frameworks.

Kinetics of spin crossover with thermal hysteresis

Non-isothermal kinetic studies of spin crossover allow establishing a reaction model of hysteretic spin state switching.

Intermolecular Interaction Tuning of Spin-Crossover Iron(III) Complexes with Aromatic Counteranions

Iron(III) spin-crossover (SCO) complexes [Fe(qsal)₂]BS·MeOH·H₂O (1), [Fe(qsal)₂](NS)·MeOH (2), [Fe(qnal)₂](NS) (3), and [Fe(qnal)₂]PS·MeOH·CH₂Cl₂ (4) (Hqsal, N-(8-quinolinyl)salicylaldimine; Hqnal, N-(8-quinolinyl)-2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldimine; BS, benzenesulfonate; NS, 1-naphthalenesulfonate; PS, 1-pyrenesulfonate) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray structure determinations and temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements. The aromatic counteranions BS, NS, and PS can be used for the tuning of intermolecular coupling through a variety of weak interactions. All of the complexes show temperature-dependent SCO behavior. but the light-induced excited spin-state trapping (LIESST) effect was observed only for 1, 3, and 4 when the samples were illuminated (λ 808 nm) for 1 h at 5 K. In particular, 59% of the LS form of 1 was converted to the metastable HS state by illumination, equal to the highest degree of conversion yet known for LIESST in [Fe(qsal)₂]⁺ derivatives. The lack of a LIESST effect for 2 may be due to the relatively limited degree of interaction between the cations and anions in the lattice, reflected in a much longer minimum Fe···Fe separation in this complex in comparison to the others.

Spin Crossover Nanomaterials: From Fundamental Concepts to Devices

Nanoscale spin crossover materials capable of undergoing reversible switching between two electronic configurations with markedly different physical properties are excellent candidates for various technological applications. In particular, they can serve as active materials for storing and processing information in photonic, mechanical, electronic, and spintronic devices as well as for transducing different forms of energy in sensors and actuators. In this progress report, a brief overview on the current state-of-the-art of experimental and theoretical studies of nanomaterials displaying spin transition is presented. Based on these results, a detailed analysis and discussions in terms of finite size effects and other phenomena inherent to the reduced size scale are provided. Finally, recent research devices using spin crossover complexes are highlighted, emphasizing both challenges and prospects.

Synthesis, structure, and spin crossover above room temperature of a mononuclear and related dinuclear double helicate iron(ii) complexes

A mononuclear iron(ii) complex, [Fe^II(L1^Me)₂](PF₆)₂ (1), and a related dinuclear one, [Fe(L2^C2)₂](PF₆)₄·5H₂O·MeCN (2), were prepared, where L1^Me is a tridentate N₃ coordinating Schiff-base ligand, 1-methyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-2-ethylpyridine, and L2^C2 is a dimeric form ligand of L1^Me, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-2-ethylpyridine, and their magnetostructural relationships were investigated. Mononuclear 1 shows a gradual one-step spin crossover (SCO) from the low-spin (LS) state (S = 0) at room temperature (RT) to the mostly high-spin (HS) state (S = 2) at 470 K spanning a temperature range of more than 170 K, while dinuclear 2 shows an anomalous two-step SCO with a gradual transition in a first step from the LS-LS state at RT to around 432 K and then an abrupt spin transition centred at 432 K with 11 K wide hysteresis in a second step (T_1/2↑ = 437 K and T_1/2↓ = 426 K) reaching the mostly HS-HS state. Single crystal X-ray structure analyses revealed that the iron(ii) centre of mononuclear 1 has an N6 octahedral coordination environment with two tridentate L1^Me ligands, while the complex-cation of 2 has a dinuclear double helicate architecture as though a dimeric form of two complex-cations of 1 replaced their methyl group with a bridging ethylene chain. Both complexes have a cationic two-dimensional (2D) structure in which the 2D layer of mononuclear 1 is constructed of intermolecular CHN hydrogen bonds between adjacent complex-cations, while that of dinuclear 2 is constructed of both intermolecular π-π and CH/π interactions between neighboring helicates.

A spin crossover (SCO) active graphene-iron(ii) complex hybrid material

A graphene-spin crossover (SCO) complex hybrid (Gr-SCO-A), prepared by non-covalently anchoring a pyrene tethered iron(ii)-SCO complex 1 with single/few layer graphene sheets, shows persistent thermal and light induced SCO.

Syntheses and Structure Investigations of 3d Transition Metal Complexes with a Flexible N4O2-Donor Hexadentate Schiff-Base Ligand

The syntheses and structure investigations of four new 3d transition metal complexes (1–4) with a flexible N4O2-donor hexadentate Schiff-base ligand are described; three complexes (1, 2, and 4) of FeIII, CoIII, and CuII metal ions have been investigated by UV-vis, FT-IR, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), and scanning electron microscopy–electron dispersive spectroscopy, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structure of NiII complex 3 is also reported. The molecular structures of the complexes (1–3) demonstrate distorted octahedral coordination geometry, each exhibiting 1 : 1 (M : L) ratios and the CuII complex 4 shows a trinuclear structure with a CuII : L ratio of 3 : 2 in the solid state, which has been proven by X-ray diffraction. On the other hand, a mononuclear species of the CuII complex is formed in solution, which has been identified by electrospray ionization HR-MS.

Heteroleptic iron(iii) Schiff base spin crossover complexes: halogen substitution, solvent loss and crystallite size effects

New heteroleptic iron(iii) spin crossover complexes, [Fe(qsal-X)(thsa)]·nMeCN, have been investigated. Halogen substitution, solvent and crystallite size effects are discussed.

Hysteretic spin crossover driven by anion conformational change

An air stable Fe^III complex showing a wide hysteresis near room temperature is described. The origin of the cooperativity is an unprecedented anion conformational change.

Non-isothermal kinetics of spin crossover

Non-isothermal magnetic studies can be used to estimate the activation energy of cooperative spin transition.

Cooperative spin-crossover transition from three-dimensional purely π-stacking interactions in a neutral heteroleptic azobisphenolate FeIII complex with a N3O3 coordination sphere

The first neutral spin-crossover Fe^III complex with a N₃O₃ coordination sphere formed a purely π-stacking interaction network and exhibited the cooperative transition.

The molecular and supramolecular aspects in mononuclear manganese(iii) Schiff-base spin crossover complexes

A cooperative SCO process with a hysteresis width of 18 K is the largest one reported in d⁴ SCO chemistry.

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.

Spin crossover in mixed ligand iron(iii) complexes

The use of two subtly different ligands is used to explore their impact on spin crossover characteristics.

Iron(iii) complexes of 2-methyl-6-(pyrimidin-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol as spin-crossover molecular materials

Four new mononuclear Fe(iii) complexes are obtained by using 2-methyl-6-(pyrimidin-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol. The perchlorate complex displays spin crossover with a hysteresis of 32 K, while the neutral complex exhibits a gradual incomplete spin transition.

Influence of Intermolecular Interactions on Valence Tautomeric Behaviors in Two Polymorphic Dinuclear Cobalt Complexes

Two polymorphic structures have been well determined in a valence tautomeric (VT) dinuclear cobalt complex. These polymorphs showed distinct thermal- and photomagnetic behavior, and are thus ideal for studying the "pure" intermolecular factors to VT transitions. In polymorph 1A, the VT cations are arranged head-to-waist with their neighbors and exhibit weak π⋅⋅⋅π interactions, resulting in a gradual and incomplete thermal VT transition. In contrast, the cations in polymorph 1B are arranged head-to-tail and exhibit relatively strong π⋅⋅⋅π interactions, leading to an abrupt and complete thermal VT transition with adjustable hysteresis loop at around room temperature. The VT process for both polymorphs can be induced by light, but the light-excited state of 1B⋅2H₂ O has a higher thermal relaxation temperature than that of 1A⋅3H₂ O.

A polymorphism-dependent T(1/2) shift of 100 K in a hysteretic spin-crossover complex related to differences in intermolecular weak CH···X hydrogen bonds (X = S vs. S and N)

A neutral mononuclear iron(II) complex with a 1,2,3-triazole-containing tetradentate ligand has been obtained as two solvent-free polymorphs. Both polymorphs show hysteretic spin crossover with a polymorphism-dependent T(1/2) shift of 100 K that spans room temperature due to differences in intermolecular weak CH···X hydrogen-bonding interactions (X = S vs. S and N).

Thiazolylimines as novel ligand-systems for spin-crossover centred near room temperature

A new thiazolylimine ligand system for iron(ii) complexes which stabilises spin-crossover in solution and solid states with T_1/2 temperatures around room temperature has been developed.

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.

Spin transitions in a series of [Fe(pybox)2]2+ complexes modulated by ligand structures, counter anions, and solvents

A new family of mononuclear Fe(ii) compounds is synthesized based on pybox ligands. Their spin-crossover behaviours can be effectively mediated by ligand structures, counter anions, and solvents.

TD-DFT study of the light-induced spin crossover of Fe(iii) complexes

Two light-induced spin-crossover Fe(iii) compounds have been studied with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) to investigate the deactivation mechanism and the role of the ligand-field states as intermediates in this process.