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

Control of Magnetic Properties through External Stimuli

The magnetic properties of many magnetic materials can be controlled by external stimuli. The principal focus here is on the thermal, photochemical, electrochemical, and chemical control of phase transitions that involve changes in magnetization. The molecular compounds described herein range from metal complexes, through pure organic compounds to composite materials. Most of the Review is devoted to the properties of valence-tautomeric compounds, molecular magnets, and spin-crossover complexes, which could find future application in memory devices or optical switches.

Two-Dimensional Iron(II) Spin Crossover Complex Constructed of Bifurcated NH···O- Hydrogen Bonds and π−π Interactions: [FeII(HLH,Me)2](ClO4)2·1.5MeCN (HLH,Me = Imidazol-4-yl-methylidene-8-amino-2-methylquinoline)

A 2D iron(II) spin crossover complex, [FeII(HLH,Me)2](ClO4)2.1.5MeCN (1), was synthesized, where HLH,Me = imidazol-4-yl-methylidene-8-amino-2-methylquinoline. 1 showed a gradual spin transition between the HS (S = 2) and LS (S = 0) states from 180 to 325 K within the first warming run from 5 to 350 K, in which 1.5MeCN is removed, and there was an abrupt spin transition at T1/2 downward arrow = 174 K in the first cooling run from 350 to 5 K. Following the first cycle, the compound showed an abrupt spin transition at T1/2 upward arrow = 185 K and T1/2 downward arrow = 174 K with 11 K wide hysteresis in the second cycle. The crystal structures of 1 were determined at 296 (an intermediate between the HS and LS states) and 150 K (LS state). The structure consists of a 2D extended structure constructed of both the bifurcated NH...O- hydrogen bonds between two ClO4- ions and two neighboring imidazole NH groups of the [FeII(HLH,Me)2]2+ cations and the pi-pi interactions between the two quinolyl rings of the two adjacent cations. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that solvent molecules are gradually eliminated even at room temperature and completely removed at 369 K. Desolvated complex 1' showed an abrupt spin transition at T1/2 upward arrow = 180 K and T1/2 downward arrow = 174 K with 6 K wide hysteresis.

Spin Crossover in a Series of Iron(II) Complexes of 2-(2-Alkyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline: Effects of Alkyl Side Chain, Solvent, and Anion

2-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (HL0), its alkyl-substituted derivatives (Ln, where n = 1-8, 10, 12, 14, and 16, denoting the carbon atom number of the alkyl chain) at the 2H position of the tetrazole ring, and their iron(II) complexes (a for [Fe(L0)2], na for [Fe(Ln)2](ClO4)2, and nb for [Fe(Ln)2](BF4)2) were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of a, a.CH3OH, 1a.CH3OH, 1b.CH3OH.CH3CN, 2a.H2O, 2b.H2O, 4b.CH3OH, 5a.H2O, 5b.H2O, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, and 16a are described, along with thermal analyses. a undergoes an abrupt spin crossover (SCO) at 255 K with a hysteresis loop of 6 K. a.CH3OH, 2a.H2O, and 2b.H2O exhibit irreversible SCO behaviors due to the loss of solvent molecules upon heating. 3a, 3b, 4a, and 5a.H2O show simple spin transitions above 350 K. The desolvated samples of 4b.CH3OH and 5b.H2O undergo two-step spin transitions. 16a exhibits a two-step SCO behavior between 100 and 300 K, corresponding to sequential phase transitions from the low-spin (LS) phase to the intermediate phase and then to the high-spin phase, respectively, proved by crystal structure analysis and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. 1a.CH3OH, 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, and 16b show gradual and incomplete SCO behaviors after cooling down from 400 K. 1b.CH3OH.CH3CN, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b remain in the LS state even at 400 K. This proves that the alkyl side chains, together with the solvent molecules and anions, play a crucial role in the complicated SCO behaviors in this system.

Spin Transition in a Chainlike Supramolecular Iron(II) Complex

A one-dimensional supramolecular head-to-tail N+ -H...N-type hydrogen-bonded chain of the complex [FeII(L)2H](ClO4)3.MeOH [L = 4'-(4'''-pyridyl)-1,2':6'1''-bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine] exhibits a reversible, thermally driven spin transition at 286 K with a hysteresis loop of ca. 2 K.

A Range of Spin-Crossover TemperatureT1/2>300 K Results from Out-of-Sphere Anion Exchange in a Series of Ferrous Materials Based on the 4-(4-Imidazolylmethyl)-2-(2-imidazolylmethyl)imidazole (trim) Ligand, [Fe(trim)2]X2 (X=F, Cl, Br, I): Comparison of Experimental Results with Those Derived from Density Functional Theory Calculations

The synthesis and characterization of [FeII(trim)2]Cl2 (2), [FeII(trim)2]Br2MeOH (3), and [FeII(trim)2]I2MeOH (4), including the X-ray crystal structure determinations of 2 (50 and 293 K) and 4 (293 K), have been performed and their properties have been examined. In agreement with the magnetic susceptibility results, the Mössbauer data show the presence of high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) crossover with a range of T1/2 larger than 300 K (from approximately 20 K for [FeII(trim)2]F2 (1) to approximately 380 K for 4). All complexes in this series include the same [Fe(trim)2]2+ complex cation: the ligand field comprises a constant contribution from the trim ligands and a variable one originating from the out-of-sphere anions, which is transmitted to the metal center by the connecting imidazole rings and hydrogen bonds. The impressive variation in the intrinsic characteristics of the spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon in this series is then interpreted as an inductive effect of the anions transmitted to the nitrogen donors through the hydrogen bonds. Based on this qualitative analysis, an increased inductive effect of the out-of-sphere anion corresponds to a decreased SCO temperature T1/2, in agreement with the experimental results. Electronic structure calculations with periodic boundary conditions have been performed that show the importance of intermolecular effects in tuning the ligand field, and thus in determining the transition temperature. Starting with the geometries obtained from the X-ray studies, the [FeII(trim)2]X2 complex molecules 1-4 have been investigated both for the single molecules and the crystal lattices with the local density approximation of density functional theory. The bulk geometries of the complex cations deduced from the X-ray studies and those calculated are in fair agreement for both approaches. However, the trend observed for the transition temperatures of 1-4 disagrees with the trend for the spin-state splittings ES (difference EHS-ELS between the energy of the HS and LS isomers) calculated for the isolated molecules, whereas it agrees with the trend for ES calculated with periodic boundary conditions. The latter calculations predict the strongest stabilization of the HS state for the fluoride complex, which actually is essentially HS above T=50 K, while the most pronounced stabilization of the LS state is predicted for 4, in line with the experimental results.

Structural−Electronic Correlation in the First-Order Phase Transition of [FeH2L2-Me](ClO4)2 (H2L2-Me = Bis[((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)-3- aminopropyl]ethylenediamine)

The synthesis and detailed study of the new mononuclear spin crossover complex [Fe(II)H2L(2-Me)](ClO4)2 (where H2L(2-Me) = bis[((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)-3-aminopropyl]ethylenediamine) are reported. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show the occurrence of a steep spin crossover centered at 171.5 K with a hysteresis loop of ca. 5 K width (T(/2)(increasing) = 174 K and T(1/2)(decreasing) = 169 K, for increasing and decreasing temperatures, respectively). The crystal structure has been resolved for the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states at 200 and 123 K, respectively, revealing a crystallographic phase transition that occurs concomitantly to the spin crossover: at 200 K, the complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, while the space group is P2(1) at 123 K. The mean Fe-N distances are shortened by 0.2 A, but the thermal spin crossover is accompanied by significant structural changes: the rearrangement of the central atom C12 of a six-membered chelate ring of [Fe(II)H2L(2-Me)]2+ to two positions (C12A and C12B) and, consequently, the lack of an inversion center at 123 K (P2(1) space group). Both HS and LS supramolecular structures involve all possible hydrogen bonds between imidazole and amine NH functions, and perchlorate anions; however, the HS supramolecular structure is a one-dimensional (1D) network, and the LS phase may better be described as a two-dimensional (2D) extended structure of A and B molecules. The structural phase transition of [FeH2L(2-Me)](ClO4)2 seems to trigger the steep and hysteretic spin crossover. Discontinuities in the temperature dependence of the Mössbauer parameters (isomer shift and quadrupole splitting) at the spin crossover temperature confirmed the occurrence of a structural phase transition. The experimental enthalpy and entropy variations were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as 7.5 +/- 0.4 kJ/mol and 45 +/- 3 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. The regular solution theory was applied to the experimental data, yielding an interaction parameter of Gamma = 3.36 kJ/mol, which is larger than 2RT(1/2), which fulfills the condition for observing hysteresis.

A Variety of Spin-Crossover Behaviors Depending on the Counter Anion: Two-Dimensional Complexes Constructed by NH⋅⋅⋅Cl− Hydrogen Bonds, [FeIIH3LMe]Cl⋅X (X = PF6−, AsF6−, SbF6−, CF3SO3−; H3LMe = Tris[2-{[(2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene]amino}ethyl]amine)

A family of spin-crossover (SC) complexes, [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)]Cl.X (X(-) = PF(6) (-), AsF(6) (-), SbF(6) (-), CF(3)SO(3) (-)), 1-4, has been synthesized, in which H(3)L(Me) denotes the hexadentate N(6) tripod-like ligand tris[2-{[(2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene]amino}ethyl]amine, containing three imidazole groups, with a view to establishing the effect of the counter anion on the SC behavior. These complexes have been found to crystallize in the same monoclinic crystal system with similar cell dimensions. The general crystal structure consists of a two-dimensional (2D) extended network constructed by NH...Cl- hydrogen bonds between Cl- and the imidazole NH groups of three neighboring [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)]2+ ions, while the anion X exists as an isolated counter anion and occupies the space between the 2D sheets. Magnetic susceptibilities and Mössbauer spectra have revealed a variety of SC behaviors depending on the counter anion, including a one-step HS<==>(HS + LS)/2 (1, X = PF(6) (-)), a two-step HS<==>(HS + LS)/2<==>LS with a slow thermal relaxation (2, X = AsF(6) (-)), a gradual one-step HS<==>LS (3, X = SbF(6) (-)), and a steep one-step HS<==>LS with hysteresis (4, X = CF(3)SO(3) (-)). The complexes assume the space group P2(1)/n in the HS state, P2(1) in the HS + LS state, and P2(1)/n in the LS state. The Fe-N bond lengths and the N-Fe-N bond angles are indicative of the HS, HS + LS, and LS states. The molecular volumes, V, of the counter anions have been evaluated by quantum-chemical calculations as follows: 53.4 A(3) (BF(4) (-)), 54.4 A(3) (ClO(4) (-)), 73.0 A(3) (PF(6) (-)), 78.5 A(3) (AsF(6) (-)), 88.7 A(3) (SbF(6) (-)), and 86.9 A(3) (CF(3)SO(3) (-)). The size and shape of the counter anion affects the flexible 2D network structure constructed by the hydrogen bonds, leading to modifications of the SC behavior. These estimated relative sizes of the counter anions correlate well with the observed SC behaviors.

NH/π Interaction in a Spin-Crossover Complex [FeII(HLMe)2](BPh4)2·2CH3CN (BPh4- = Tetraphenylborate; HLMe = 2-Methylimidazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-2-ethylpyridine)

Three FeII complexes, [Fe(HLR)2](BPh4)2.solvent (R=H, Me, Ph), were synthesized, where BPh4-=tetraphenylborate and HLR=2-substituted-imidazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-2-ethylpyridine. The magnetic susceptibility measurements in 5-300 K revealed that [Fe(HLH)2](BPh4)2.H2O, [Fe(HLMe)2](BPh4)2.2CH3CN, and [Fe(HLPh)2](BPh4)2.CH3CN are low-spin (LS), spin-crossover (SC), and high-spin (HS) FeII complexes, respectively, indicating that the spin state can be effectively tuned by the bulkiness of the substituent. Complex shows a steep SC around 250 K, where it assumes a cyclic structure of {[Fe(HLMe)2]BPh4}2 constructed by four NH/pi bonds between the imidazole group and the phenyl ring of BPh4- in the HS state and a deformed structure with NH/pi bonds and linear CH3CN...HN hydrogen bonds at the terminals in the LS state.

Mononuclear metal complexes with Piroxicam: Synthesis, structure and biological activity

Piroxicam (=Hpir) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and an anti-arthritic drug. VO(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), MoO(2)(2+) and UO(2)(2+) complexes with deprotonated piroxicam have been prepared and characterized with the use of infrared, UV-Vis, nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. The experimental data suggest that piroxicam acts as a deprotonated bidentate ligand in all complexes and is coordinated to the metal ion through the pyridine nitrogen and the amide oxygen. Molecular mechanics calculations in the gas state have been performed in order to propose a model for the Fe(3+), VO(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) complexes. Potential anticancer cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of piroxicam complexes with VO(2+), Mn(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells have been investigated. Among all complexes, only VO(pir)(2)(H(2)O) clearly induces apoptosis after 24-h incubation, whereas piroxicam induces apoptosis after 57-h incubation.

Novel Structural and Magnetic Properties of a 1-D Iron(II)−Manganese(II) LIESST Compound Bridged by Cyanide

The 1-D compound [Fe(L)(CN)2][Mn(hfac)2] (1), which adopts the -NC-Fe-CN-Mn- heterometallic structure, has been shown to exhibit light-induced excited spin-state trapping effects. After illumination, anti-ferromagnetic coupling was observed between the iron(II) (S = 2) and manganese(II) (S = 5/2) ions.

A 2D Layered Spin Crossover Complex Constructed by NH···Cl- Hydrogen Bonds: [FeIIH3LMe]Cl·I3 (H3LMe = Tris[2-(((2-methylimidazoyl-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine

A 2D layered spin crossover complex, [FeIIH3L(Me)]Cl.I3, has been synthesized from the reaction of FeIIICl3, a tripod ligand (H3LMe = tris[2-(((2-methylimidazoyl-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine), and NaI in methanol. The compound showed an abrupt spin transition between the HS (S = 2) and LS (S = 0) states at T(1/2) = 110 K without hysteresis. The crystal structures of the HS and LS states were determined at 180 and 90 K. A 2D layered structure is composed of NH...Cl- hydrogen bonds between the Cl- ion and three neighboring imidazole groups of [FeIIH3LMe]2+. The green light irradiation at 5 K induced the LIESST effect, and the thermal relaxation process from the HS to LS state showed a sigmoid curve at T > 55 K.

Polymorphism in Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 (pz = Pyrazolyl): Impact of Supramolecular Structure on an Iron(II) Electronic Spin-State Crossover

The new ligands Na[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Rpz)3] (R = H, Me) have been prepared by converting I2C6H4 to IC6H4SiMe3 with Li(t)Bu and SiMe3Cl, and then to IC6H4BBr2 with BBr3 and subsequent reaction with 3 equiv of (un)substituted pyrazole and 1 equiv of NaO(t)Bu. These new ligands react with FeBr2 to give either purple, low-spin Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(pz)3]2 or colorless, high-spin Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2. Depending upon the crystallization conditions, Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 can exist both as two polymorphs and as a methylene chloride solvate. An examination of these polymorphs by variable-temperature X-ray crystallography, magnetic susceptibility, and Mossbauer spectroscopy has revealed different electronic spin-state crossover properties for each polymorph and yields insight into the influence of crystal packing, independent of other electronic perturbations, on the spin-state crossover. The first polymorph of Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 has a highly organized three-dimensional supramolecular structure and does not undergo a spin-state crossover upon cooling to 4 K. The second polymorph of Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 has a stacked two-dimensional supramolecular structure, a structure that is clearly less well organized than that of the first polymorph, and undergoes an abrupt iron(II) spin-state crossover from high spin to low spin upon cooling below ca. 130 K. The crystal structure of the methylene chloride solvate of Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 has a similar stacked two-dimensional supramolecular structure, but the crystals readily lose the solvate. The resulting desolvate undergoes a gradual spin-state crossover to the low-spin state upon cooling below ca. 235 K. It is clear from a comparison of the structures that the long-range solid-state organization of the molecules, which is controlled by noncovalent supramolecular interactions, has a strong impact upon the spin-state crossover, with the more highly organized structures having lower spin-crossover temperatures and more abrupt spin-crossover behavior.

Supramolecular spin-crossover iron complexes based on imidazole-imidazolate hydrogen bonds

The [Fe(II)(H(3)L)](BF(4))(2).3H(2)O (1) complex was synthesized, where H(3)L (tris[[2-[(imidazole-4-yl)methylidene]amino]ethyl]amine) is a tripodal ligand obtained by condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and 4-formylimidazole (fim) in a 1:3 molar ratio. Starting from 1, a series of complexes, [Fe(II)(H(1.5)L)](BF(4))(0.5) (2) (=[Fe(II)(H(3)L)][Fe(II)(L)]BF(4)), [Fe(H(1.5)L)]BF(4) (3) (=[Fe(II)(H(3)L)][Fe(III)(L)](BF(4))(2)), [Fe(III)(H(3)L)](BF(4))(3).fim.H(2)O (4), and [Fe(III)(L)].2.5H(2)O (5), has been synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray structure of each complex has been determined. The Fe(II) compound, 2, and a mixed valence Fe(II)-Fe(III) compound, 3, involve formally hemi-deprotonated ligands, H(1.5)L. The structure of 3 consists of a homochiral two-dimensional assembled sheet, arising from the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between [Fe(II)(H(3)L)](2+) and [Fe(III)(L)](0) (3). All but 5 exhibit spin crossover between low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states. This is a rare case where both Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes containing the same ligand exhibit spin-crossover behavior. Magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer studies showed that 3 has three accessible electronic states: LS Fe(II)-LS Fe(III), HS Fe(II)-LS Fe(III), and HS Fe(II)-HS Fe(III). Compounds 1-3 show the light-induced excited spin-state trapping effect at the Fe(II) sites upon irradiation with green light. The solution magnetic properties, electronic spectra, and electrochemical properties of 1, 4, and 5 were also studied.

An Unprecedented Trinuclear Structure Involving Two High-Spin and One Spin-Crossover Iron(II) Centers

Anaerobic reaction of ferrous thiocyanate with the deprotonated form of the pentadentate dinucleating Schiff base 1,3-bis[(2-pyridylmethyl)imino]propan-2-ol (LH) yields the novel trinuclear [Fe3L2(NCS)4(H2O)] species 1. LH results from the bis-condensation of 2-acetyl-pyridine with 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol and includes an N4O donor set. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 [C38H40N12O3S4Fe3, triclinic, space group P-1; a = 10.7730(10) angstroms, b = 12.2048(14) angstroms, c = 19.0559(19) angstroms, alpha = 76.908(12) degrees, beta = 89.106(12) degrees, gamma = 79.637(12) degrees, V = 2399.8(4) angstroms3] can be described either as a bent linear arrangement of ferrous centers pairwise bridged through the alkoxo oxygen atom of L- or as a triangular FeII3 core with an Fe2-SCN-Fe3 bridge as the longer side of the Fe1-Fe2-Fe3 triangle. The metric parameters characterizing the ligand environments of the three ferrous centers in 1 and its Mössbauer spectra show that this unprecedented trinuclear structure involves two high-spin (Fe2 and Fe3) and one spin-crossover (Fe1) FeII centers. The donor set to the spin-crossover center (Fe1) is unprecedented: two Npyridine, two Nimine, and two Oalkoxo. Weak antiferromagnetic interactions transmitted through the end-to-end NCS bridge and/or through the O1-Fe1-O2 bridge operate between Fe2 and Fe3.

1-D Cobalt(II) Spin Transition Compound with Strong Interchain Interaction: [Co(pyterpy)Cl2]·X

Cobalt(II) compounds [Co(pyterpy)Cl(2)].MeOH (1.(MeOH)) and [Co(pyterpy)Cl(2)].2H(2)O (1.(2H(2)O)) were synthesized. The compound 1.(MeOH) forms the quasi 3-D networks by making pi-pi stacking between the 1-D chains. The methanol molecules from 1.(MeOH) can be removed by heating, and substituted by absorption of water molecules. The MeOH molecules in 1.(MeOH) are removed by heating at 410 K, and they are substituted by water molecules to form 1.(2H(2)O). 1.(2H(2)O) exhibits a S = (3)/(2) (HS) left arrow over right arrow S = (1)/(2) (LS) spin transition with a thermal hysteresis. We have succeeded in constructing a guest dependent 1-D spin-crossover cobalt(II) compound.

Thermal Hysteresis in the Photoresponsivity of a Langmuir Film of Amphiphilic Spiropyran

We have found a thermal hysteresis in the photoresponsivity of a Langmuir film for the first time. The Langmuir film of an amphiphilic spiropyran, 1',3'-dihydro-3',3'-dimethyl-6-nitro-1'-octadecyl-8-(docosanoyloxymethyl)spiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-(2H)-indole] (SP) was fabricated at 13 degrees C at 10 mN m-1, followed by heating to a given temperature. UV irradiation of this film caused only the isomerization of SP to the corresponding merocyanine (MC) up to 29 degrees C. Light-induced J-aggregation of MC occurred at 30 degrees C. On the other hand, once the film was heated to 30 degrees C, light-induced J-aggregation was observed down to 27 degrees C. The hysteresis should be related with the phase transitions that occur in the bulk of SP at similar temperatures. No significant morphological change occurred by light-induced J-aggregation in the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film of SP by the present method, in contrast to the case of the LB films fabricated under isothermal conditions at 30 degrees C. This feature enabled us to pattern the LB film with J-aggregate of MC by UV irradiation through a photomask of lines with a width of 5 mum each.

Interlayer Interaction of Two-Dimensional Layered Spin Crossover Complexes [FeIIH3LMe][FeIILMe]X (X- = ClO4-, BF4-, PF6-, AsF6-, and SbF6-; H3LMe = Tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine)

A series of two-dimensional (2D) spin crossover complexes, [FeIIH3L(Me)][FeIIL(Me)]X (X-=ClO4-, BF4-, PF6-, AsF6-, SbF6-) 1-5, have been synthesized, where H3L(Me) denotes an hexadentate N6 tripodlike ligand containing three imidazole groups, tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine. Compounds 1-5 exhibit a two-step (HS-[FeIIH3L(Me)](2+) + HS-[FeIIL(Me)]-) <--> (HS-[FeIIH3L(Me)](2+) + LS-[FeIIL(Me)]-) <--> (LS-[FeIIH3L(Me)](2+) + LS-[FeIIL(Me)]-) spin-transition. The crystal structure of [FeIIH3L(Me)][FeIIL(Me)]PF6 (3) was determined at 295, 200, and 100 K. The structure consists of homochiral extended 2D puckered sheets, in which the complementary [FeIIH3L(Me)](2+) and [FeIIL(Me)]- capped tripodlike components, linked together by imidazole-imidazolate hydrogen bonds, are alternately arrayed in an up-and-down mode. The Fe-N bond distances and angles revealed that the FeII sites of both constituting units are in the high-spin (HS) state at 295 K; at 200 K, the FeII sites of [FeIIH3L(Me)](2+) and [FeIIL(Me)]- are in the HS and low-spin (LS) states, respectively. The FeII sites of both constituting units are in the LS state at 100 K. The size of the counteranion affects significantly the intra- and interlayer interactions leading to modifications of the spin crossover behavior. The onset of the second spin-transition of the ClO4- (1) and BF4- (2) salts adjoins the first spin-transition, while a mixed (HS-[FeIIH3L(Me)](2+) + LS-[FeIIL(Me)]-) spin-state spans a temperature range as wide as 70 K for salts 3-5 with larger counteranions, PF6-, AsF6-, and SbF6-, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 showed remarkable LIESST (light induced excited spin state trapping) and reverse-LIESST effects, whereas 3-5 showed no remarkable LIESST effect. The interlayer interaction due to the size of the counteranion is an important factor governing the spin crossover behavior and LIESST effect.

A New Family of Spin Crossover Complexes with a Tripod Ligand Containing Three Imidazoles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties of [FeIIH3LMe](NO3)2·1.5H2O, [FeIIILMe]·3.5H2O, [FeIIH3LMe][FeIILMe]NO3, and [FeIIH3LMe][FeIIILMe](NO3)2 (H3LMe = Tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine)

A new family of spin crossover complexes, [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](NO(3))(2).1.5H(2)O (1), [Fe(III)L(Me)].3.5H(2)O (2), [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)][Fe(II)L(Me)]NO(3) (3), and [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)][Fe(III)L(Me)](NO(3))(2) (4), has been synthesized and characterized, where H(3)L(Me) denotes a hexadentate N(6) tripod ligand containing three imidazole groups, tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine. It was found that the spin and oxidation states of the iron complexes with this tripod ligand are tuned by the degree of deprotonation of the imidazole groups and by the 2-methyl imidazole substituent. Magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer studies revealed that 1 is an HS-Fe(II) complex, 2 exhibits a spin equilibrium between HS and LS-Fe(III), 3 exhibits a two-step spin transition, where the component [Fe(II)L(Me)](-) with the deprotonated ligand participates in the spin transition process in the higher temperature range and the component [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](2+) with the neutral ligand participates in the spin transition process in the lower temperature range, and 4 exhibits spin transition of both the Fe(II) and Fe(III) sites. The crystal structure of 3 consists of homochiral extended 2D puckered sheets, in which the capped tripodlike components [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](2+) and [Fe(II)L(Me)](-) are alternately arrayed in an up-and-down mode and are linked by the imidazole-imidazolate hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the adjacent 2D homochiral sheets are stacked in the crystal lattice yielding a conglomerate as confirmed by the enantiomeric circular dichorism spectra. Compounds 3 and 4 showed the LIESST (light induced excited spin state trapping) and reverse-LIESST effects upon irradiation with green and red light, respectively.

Optically switchable molecular solids: photoinduced spin-crossover, photochromism, and photoinduced magnetization

A possible route to finding new optically switchable molecular solids is to investigate the photoeffects of compounds that exhibit an abrupt phase transition or hysteresis loop. Such compounds must possess at least bistable states that are separated by a potential barrier in free energy. In fact, on the basis of this idea, we have recently succeeded in identifying three kinds of optically switchable molecular compounds. These include an Fe(III) spin-crossover complex exhibiting light induced excited spin state trapping effects and a Cu(II) photochromic complex and an FeCo Prussian blue exhibiting photoinduced magnetization. It should be noted that abrupt phase transitions or phase transitions with a hysteresis loop are observed when cooperativity due to an intermolecular interaction operates within the crystals. This suggests that the introduction of intermolecular interactions such as pi-pi interactions, hydrogen bonding, or an ion-dipole interaction might serve to achieve optical switching effects in molecular compounds.

Solution and Solid-State Spin-Crossover Behavior in a Pseudotetrahedral d7 Ion

This Communication describes a pseudotetrahedral d7 complex, [PhBP3]Co(OSiPh3), that exhibits thermally induced spin-crossover both in solution and in the solid state. Magnetic crossover behavior is achieved by confluence of the X-type ligand and the tripodal auxiliary employed. Four-coordinate platforms of the present geometry type may offer a new approach to magnetic spin-crossover behavior distinct from their electronically related pseudooctahedral counterparts.

An abrupt spin transition based on short S⋯S contacts in a novel Fe(ii) complex whose ligand contains a 1,3-dithiole ring

The first preparation of an Fe(II) spin-crossover complex including a 1,3-dithiole ligand is reported. Crystal analyses of both the low- and the high-temperature phases reveal that short S...S contacts play a key role in an abrupt spin transition.