Coupled Crystallographic Order–Disorder and Spin State in a Bistable Molecule: Multiple Transition Dynamics

Observation of TLIESST above Liquid Nitrogen Temperature and Disclosure of Hidden Hysteresis in Multiresponsive Hofmann-type Coordination Polymers

Photoresponsive spin-crossover (SCO) molecules are an important class of bistable magnetic molecules with intriguing potential in device applications. The light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) and the combined application of light and temperature can provide access to the metastable region of the SCO profile. The primary obstacle in utilizing light stimuli is the manifestation of light-induced trappings at extremely low temperatures. Herein, we report two novel multiresponsive 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymers exhibiting light-induced excited spin state trapping above liquid nitrogen temperature (TLIESST = 82 and 81 K). Stimulating the samples in conjugation with light and temperature successfully unveils hysteresis, which is otherwise concealed. Apart from light and temperature, we found that the SCO phenomenon is also responsive to external hydrostatic pressure and exhibits modulation of the hysteresis width and transition temperature shifts with changes in pressure.

Magnetoelectric and MIESST effects in spin crossover materials exhibiting symmetry-breaking

Giant magnetoelectric coupling and magnetic-field-induced spin state trapping (MIESST) were recently reported in spin crossover materials with polar phases. We discuss these phenomena considering the distinct contributions of the change of the molecular spin state, driven by the magnetic field, and the coupled structural symmetry-breaking during the stepwise change of electric polarisation or MIESST.

Rotational order-disorder and spin crossover behaviour in a neutral iron(II) complex based on asymmetrically substituted large planar ionogenic ligand

Octahedrally coordinated spin crossover (SCO) FeII complexes represent an important class of switchable molecular materials. This study presents the synthesis and characterisation of a novel complex, [FeII(ppt-2Fph)2]0·2MeOH, where ppt-2Fph is a new asymmetric ionogenic tridentate planar ligand 2-(5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine. The complex exhibits a hysteretic thermally induced SCO transition at 285 K on cooling and at 293 K on heating, as well as light induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) at lower temperatures with a relaxation T(LIESST) temperature of 73 K. Single crystal analysis in both spin states shows that the compound undergoes an unusual partial (25%) reversible order-disorder of the asymmetrically substituted phenyl group coupled to the thermal SCO. The highly cooperative SCO transition, analysed by structural energy framework analysis at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) theory level, revealed the co-existence of stabilising and destabilising energy variations in the lattice. The observed antagonism of intermolecular interactions and synchronous rotational disorder, which contributes to the overall entropy change, is suggested to be at the origin of the cooperative SCO transition.

Vapochromic effect in switchable molecular-based spin crossover compounds

Coordination complexes based on transition metal ions displaying [Ar]3d⁴-3d⁷ electronic configurations can undergo the likely most spectacular switchable phenomena found in molecular coordination chemistry, the well-known Spin Crossover (SCO). SCO phenomena is a detectable, reproducible and reversible switch that occurs between the high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) electronic states of the transition metal actuated by different stimuli (i.e. light, temperature, pressure, the presence of an analyte). Moreover, the occurrence of SCO phenomena causes different outputs, one of them being a colour change. Altogether, an analyte in gas form could be detected by naked eye once it has triggered the corresponding HS ↔ LS transition. This vapochromic effect could be used to detect volatile molecules using a low-cost technology, including harmful chemical substances, gases and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are present in our environment, in our home or at our workplace. The present review condenses all reported iron coordination compounds where the colour change induced by a given molecule in its gas form is coupled to a HS ↔ LS spin transition. Special emphasis has been made on describing the nature of the post-synthetic modification (PSM) taking place in the material upon the analyte uptake. In this case, three types of PSM can be distinguished: based on supramolecular contacts and/or leading to a coordinative or covalent bond. In the latter, a colour change not only indicates the switch of the spin state in the material but also the formation of a new compound with different properties. It is important to indicate that some of the SCO coordination compounds discussed in the current report have been part of other spin crossover reviews, that have gathered thermally induced SCO compounds and the influence of guest molecules on the SCO behaviour. However, in the majority of examples in these reviews, the change of colour upon the uptake of analytes is not associated with a spin transition at room temperature. In addition, the observed colour variations have been mainly discussed in terms of host-guest interactions, when they can also be induced by a PSM taking place in different sites of the molecule, like the Fe(II) coordination sphere or by chemically altering its inorganic and/or organic linkers. Therefore, we present here for the first time an exhaustive compilation of all systems in which the interaction between the coordination compounds and the vapour analytes leads to a colour change due to a spin transition in the metal centre at room temperature.

105 K Wide Room Temperature Spin Transition Memory Due to a Supramolecular Latch Mechanism

Little is known about the mechanisms behind the bistability (memory) of molecular spin transition compounds over broad temperature ranges (>100 K). To address this point, we report on a new discrete Fe^II neutral complex [Fe^IIL₂]⁰ (1) based on a novel asymmetric tridentate ligand 2-(5-(3-methoxy-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl))pyridine (L). Due to the asymmetric cone-shaped form, in the lattice, the formed complex molecules stack into a one-dimensional (1D) supramolecular chain. In the case of the rectangular supramolecular arrangement of chains in methanolates 1-A and 1-B (both orthorhombic, Pbcn) differing, respectively, by bent and extended spatial conformations of the 3-methoxy groups (3MeO), a moderate cooperativity is observed. In contrast, the hexagonal-like arrangement of supramolecular chains in polymorph 1-C (monoclinic, P2₁/c) results in steric coupling of the transforming complex species with the peripheral flipping 3MeO group. The group acts as a supramolecular latch, locking the huge geometric distortion of complex 1 and in turn the trigonal distortion of the central Fe^II ion in the high-spin state, thereby keeping it from the transition to the low-spin state over a large thermal range. Analysis of the crystal packing of 1-C reveals significantly changing patterns of close intermolecular interactions on going between the phases substantiated by the energy framework analysis. The detected supramolecular mechanism leads to a record-setting robust 105 K wide hysteresis spanning the room temperature region and an atypically large T_LIESST relaxation value of 104 K of the photoexcited high-spin state. This work highlights a viable pathway toward a new generation of cleverly designed molecular memory materials.

Toward High-Temperature Light-Induced Spin-State Trapping in Spin-Crossover Materials: The Interplay of Collective and Molecular Effects

Spin-crossover (SCO) materials display many fascinating behaviors including collective phase transitions and spin-state switching controlled by external stimuli, e.g., light and electrical currents. As single-molecule switches, they have been fêted for numerous practical applications, but these remain largely unrealized-partly because of the difficulty of switching these materials at high temperatures. We introduce a semiempirical microscopic model of SCO materials combining crystal field theory with elastic intermolecular interactions. For realistic parameters, this model reproduces the key experimental results including thermally induced phase transitions, light-induced spin-state trapping (LIESST), and reverse-LIESST. Notably, we reproduce and explain the experimentally observed relationship between the critical temperature of the thermal transition, T_1/2, and the highest temperature for which the trapped state is stable, T_LIESST, and explain why increasing the stiffness of the coordination sphere increases T_LIESST. We propose strategies to design SCO materials with higher T_LIESST: optimizing the spin-orbit coupling via heavier atoms (particularly in the inner coordination sphere) and minimizing the enthalpy difference between the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states. However, the most dramatic increases arise from increasing the cooperativity of the spin-state transition by increasing the rigidity of the crystal. Increased crystal rigidity can also stabilize the HS state to low temperatures on thermal cycling yet leave the LS state stable at high temperatures following, for example, reverse-LIESST. We show that such highly cooperative systems offer a realistic route to robust room-temperature switching, demonstrate this in silico, and discuss material design rationale to realize this.

Iron(II) Complexes of 4-(Alkyldisulfanyl)-2,6-di(pyrazolyl)pyridine Derivatives. Correlation of Spin-Crossover Cooperativity with Molecular Structure Following Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Desolvation

The complex salts [Fe(L 1)2]X2 (1X 2 ; L 1 = 4-(isopropyldisulfanyl)-2,6-bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine; X- = BF4 -, ClO4 -) form solvated crystals from common organic solvents. Crystals of 1X 2 ·Me2CO show abrupt spin transitions near 160 K, with up to 22 K thermal hysteresis. 1X 2 ·Me2CO cocrystallizes with other, less cooperative acetone solvates, which all transform into the same solvent-free materials 1X 2 ·sf upon exposure to air, or mild heating. Conversion of 1X 2 ·Me2CO to 1X 2 ·sf proceeds in a single-crystal to single-crystal fashion. 1X 2 ·sf are not isomorphous with the acetone solvates, and exhibit abrupt spin transitions at low temperature with hysteresis loops of 30-38 K (X- = BF4 -) and 10-20 K (X- = ClO4 -), depending on the measurement method. Interestingly, the desolvation has an opposite effect on the SCO temperature and hysteresis in the two salts. The hysteretic spin transitions in 1X 2 ·Me2CO and 1X 2 ·sf do not involve a crystallographic phase change but are accompanied by a significant rearrangement of the metal coordination sphere. Other solvates 1X 2 ·MeNO2, 1X 2 ·MeCN, and 1X 2 ·H2O are mostly isomorphous with each other and show more gradual spin-crossover equilibria near room temperature. All three of these lattice types have similar unit cell dimensions and contain cations associated into chains through pairwise, intermolecular S···π interactions. Polycrystalline [Fe(L 2)2][BF4]2·MeNO2 (2[BF 4 ] 2 ·MeNO2; L 2 = 4-(methyldisulfanyl)-2,6-bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine) shows an abrupt spin transition just above room temperature, with an unsymmetrical and structured hysteresis loop, whose main features are reversible upon repeated thermal scanning.

Spin transition and symmetry-breaking in new mononuclear FeII tren-complexes with up to 38 K hysteresis around room temperature

New FeII complexes based on the well-known tripodand ligand type undergo abrupt hysteretic spin transition due to the symmetry-breaking in the room temperature region.

Hidden ordered structure in the archetypical Fe(pyrazine)[Pt(CN)4] spin-crossover porous coordination compound

The actual low-spin state of Fe(pyrazine)Pt(CN)4 implies an ordered arrangement of the pyrazine rings, which significantly affects the spin transition.

A Reversible Hydrogen-Bond Isomerization Triggered by an Abrupt Spin Crossover near Room Temperature

The spin crossover salt [Fe(bpp)₂ ](isonicNO)₂ ⋅ 2.4 H₂ O (1⋅2.4 H₂ O) (bpp=2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine; isonicNO=isonicotinate N-oxide anion) exhibits a very abrupt spin crossover at T_1/2 =274.4 K. This triggers a supramolecular linkage (H-bond) isomerization that responds reversibly towards light irradiation or temperature change. Isotopic effects in the thermomagnetic behavior reveal the importance of hydrogen bonds in defining the magnetic state. Further, the title compound can be reversibly dehydrated to afford 1, a material that also exhibits spin crossover coupled to H-bond isomerization, leading to strong kinetic effects in the thermomagnetic properties.

Sequential single-crystal-to-single-crystal vapochromic inclusion in a nonporous coordination polymer: unravelling dynamic rearrangement for selective pyridine sensing

Unprecedent selective and reversible pyridine solid–vapor sequential inclusion in a nonporous Fe(ii) coordination polymer accompanied by a color change is presented. Although the internal reorganization is significant, the process remains SCSC.

Structural, magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of the [Fe(3-bpp)2](CF3COO)2 complex: role of crystal packing leading to an incomplete Fe(ii) high spin ⇋ low spin transition

Mononuclear complex [Fe(3-bpp)₂](CF₃COO)₂ exhibits a thermal (HS + HS) ⇋ (HS + LS) transition at ∼226 K which is not associated with any crystallographic transition.

Interplay between spin crossover and proton migration along short strong hydrogen bonds

The iron(ii) salt [Fe(bpp)2](isonicNO)2·HisonicNO·5H2O (1) (bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine; isonicNO = isonicotinate N-oxide anion) undergoes a partial spin crossover (SCO) with symmetry breaking at T 1 = 167 K to a mixed-spin phase (50% high-spin (HS), 50% low-spin (LS)) that is metastable below T 2 = 116 K. Annealing the compound at lower temperatures results in a 100% LS phase that differs from the initial HS phase in the formation of a hydrogen bond (HB) between two water molecules (O4W and O5W) of crystallisation. Neutron crystallography experiments have also evidenced a proton displacement inside a short strong hydrogen bond (SSHB) between two isonicNO anions. Both phenomena can also be detected in the mixed-spin phase. 1 undergoes a light-induced excited-state spin trapping (LIESST) of the 100% HS phase, with breaking of the O4W⋯O5W HB and the onset of proton static disorder in the SSHB, indicating the presence of a light-induced activation energy barrier for proton motion. This excited state shows a stepped relaxation at T 1(LIESST) = 68 K and T 2(LIESST) = 76 K. Photocrystallography measurements after the first relaxation step reveal a single Fe site with an intermediate geometry, resulting from the random distribution of the HS and LS sites throughout the lattice.

Unprecedented Reverse Volume Expansion in Spin-Transition Crystals

The current craze for research around the spin crossover phenomenon can be justified to some extent by the mechanical properties due to the decrease of volume associated with the transition of the metal ion from the HS state to the LS state. As demonstrated here, the molecular complex [Fe(PM-pBrA)₂ (NCS)₂ ] exhibits, on the contrary, an increase of the unit-cell volume from HS to LS. This counter-intuitive and unprecedented behavior that concerns both the thermal and the photoexcited spin conversions is revealed by a combination of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction complemented by magnetic measurements. Interestingly, this abnormal volume change appears concomitant with the wide rotation of a phenyl ring which induces a drastic modification, though reversible, of the structural packing within the crystal. In addition, the light-induced HS state obtained through the Light-Induced Excited Spin-State Trapping shows a remarkably high relaxation temperature, namely T(LIESST), of 109 K, one of the highest so far reported. The above set of quite unusual characteristics opens up new fields of possibilities within the development of spin crossover materials.

Elucidating the Structural Chemistry of a Hysteretic Iron(II) Spin-Crossover Compound From its Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Congeners

Annealing [FeL₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ ⋅2 H₂ O (L=2,6-bis-[5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]pyridine) affords an anhydrous material, which undergoes a spin transition at T_1/2 =205 K with a 65 K thermal hysteresis loop. This occurs through a sequence of phase changes, which were monitored by powder diffraction in an earlier study. [CuL₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ ⋅2 H₂ O and [ZnL₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ ⋅2 H₂ O are not perfectly isostructural but, unlike the iron compound, they undergo single-crystal-to-single-crystal dehydration upon annealing. All the annealed compounds initially adopt the same tetragonal phase but undergo a phase change near room temperature upon re-cooling. The low-temperature phase of [CuL₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ involves ordering of its Jahn-Teller distortion, to a monoclinic lattice with three unique cation sites. The zinc compound adopts a different, triclinic low-temperature phase with significant twisting of its coordination sphere, which unexpectedly becomes more pronounced as the crystal is cooled. Synchrotron powder diffraction data confirm that the structural changes in the anhydrous zinc complex are reproduced in the high-spin iron compound, before the onset of spin-crossover. This will contribute to the wide hysteresis in the spin transition of the iron complex. EPR spectra of copper-doped [Fe_0.97 Cu_0.03 L₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ imply its low-spin phase contains two distinct cation environments in a 2:1 ratio.

Two ways of spin crossover in an iron(ii) coordination polymer associated with conformational changes of a bridging ligand

Structural phase transition in [Fe(bbtre)₃](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃CN (bbtre = 1,4-di(1-ethyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)butane) plays the role of a switch, allowing spin crossover to be carried out in two ways.

Iron(II) and 1,1,1-Tris(2-pyridyl)nonadecane Complex Showing an Order-Disorder-Type Structural Transition and Spin-Crossover Synchronized over Both Conformers

The title compound (Me₄N)[Fe{(2-py)₃C- n-C₁₈H₃₇}(NCS)₃] having a C₁₈ chain underwent spin-crossover (SCO). There are two crystallographically independent molecules in a triclinic cell at 100 K but only one in a monoclinic cell at 300 K. The complex showed a gradual one-step SCO in the same temperature region as that of the structural transition. The SCO is supported with the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The molecules are differentiated on cooling, but the SCO was synchronized.

Sliding Polymeric Layers and Anion Displacement Coupled with Spin Crossover in Two-Dimensional Networks of [Fe(hbtz)2 (CH3 CN)2 ](BF4 )2

The abrupt high spin (HS)→low spin (LS) transition (T^↓ _1/2 =136 K) in [Fe(hbtz)₂ (CH₃ CN)₂ ](BF₄ )₂ (hbtz=1,6-di(tetrazol-2-yl)hexane) is finished at 100 K and further thermal treatment influences the spin crossover. Subsequent heating involves a change of the spin state in the same way (T^↑ _1/2 =136 K) on cooling. In contrast, cooling below 100 K triggers different behavior and T^↑ _1/2 is shifted to 170 K. The extraordinary structural changes that occurred below 100 K are responsible for the observed diversity of properties. A unique feature of the low-temperature phase is the rebuilding of the anion network expressed by a shift of anions inside the polymeric layer at a distance of 1.2 Å as well as the relative shift of neighboring layers at over 4 Å. These structural alterations, connected with a phase transition, become the origin of the strain, which in most cases causes crystal cleaving. In a sample composed from crystals crushed as a result of the phase transition or as a result of mechanical crumbling, the hysteresis loop vanishes; however, annealing the sample allows to its partial restoration. A replacement of acetonitrile by other nitriles leads to preservation of the polymeric structure and spin crossover, but no phase transition follows.

“Normal” and “reverse” spin crossover induced by two different structural events in iron(ii) coordination polymer

Conformational changes of the bridging ligand and reorientation of the anions are associated with a sequence of HT(HS) ⇆ HT(HS/LS) ⇆ IP(HS) ⇆ LT(LS) transitions accompanied by existence of two hysteresis loops, “normal” and “reverse”, separated by a region of the stability of the HS form.

Tuning the spin crossover behavior of the polyanion [(H2O)6Fe3(μ-L)6]6–: the case of the cesium salt

Cation exchange transforms the gradual spin transition of the trimer [(H₂O)₆Fe₃(μ-L)₆]^6– into an abrupt transition with a wide hysteresis above room temperature.

Spin-crossover compounds based on iron(ii) complexes of 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bpp) functionalized with carboxylic acid and ethyl carboxylic acid

New salts of the iron(ii) bppCOOH and bppCOOEt spin crossover complexes have been studied.

Solvent modified spin crossover in an iron(iii) complex: phase changes and an exceptionally wide hysteresis

Solvent effects in a series of Fe(iii) spin crossover (SCO) complexes [Fe(qsal-I)2]OTf·sol (sol = MeOH 1, EtOH 2, n-PrOH 3, i-PrOH 4, acetone 5 and MeCN 6) are explored. SCO is abrupt in 1 (following MeOH loss) and 2, gradual for 3 (T1/2 = 199 K) and 4 (T1/2 = 251 K) and incomplete, even up to 350 K, for 5 and 6. In [Fe(qsal-I)2]OTf SCO occurs at T1/2↓ = 225 K and T1/2↑ = 234 K (ΔT = 9 K), while aged samples of 2 exhibit an exceptionally wide hysteresis of 80 K (T1/2↓ = 139 K and T1/2↑ = 219 K). In contrast, fresh samples of 2 exhibit stepped SCO with hysteresis varying from 2 to 42 K. VT-PXRD (variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction) studies indicate a new phase, 2b, is formed upon cooling below 180 K along with a minor LS phase 2c. Phase 2c and the HS phase 2a undergo a spin transition at T1/2↓ = 180 K and T1/2↑ = 215 K with phase 2b exhibiting two-step SCO. Structural studies in both spin states, except 6, show the cations are linked through extensive π-π interactions to form 1D chains. A combination of P4AE (parallel fourfold aryl embrace) and I···X (X = I, O, π) interactions create tightly packed 3D supramolecular networks. This study emphasizes that while solvent may result in only small structural changes SCO characteristics can be impacted dramatically.

Thermal spin-crossover with a large hysteresis spanning room temperature in a mononuclear complex

The substitution of sulphur by selenium leads to spin-crossover single-crystals exhibiting a large hysteresis centred at room temperature.

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.

Homoleptic versus Heteroleptic Formation of Mononuclear Fe(II) Complexes with Tris-Imine Ligands

We show a marked tendency of Fe(II) to form heteroleptic [Fe(L)(L')](ClO4)2 complexes from pairs of chelating tris-imine 3bpp, tpy, or 2bbp ligands. New synthetic avenues for spin crossover research become thus available, here illustrated with three new heteroleptic compounds with differing magnetic behaviors: [Fe(H4L1)(Cl-tpy)](ClO4)2·C3H6O (1), [Fe(H2L3)(Me3bpp)](ClO4)2·C3H6O (2), [Fe(H4L1)(2bbp)](ClO4)2·3C3H6O (3). Structural studies demonstrate that 1 is in the low-spin (LS) state up to 350 K, while complexes 2 and 3 are, by contrast, in the high-spin (HS) state down to 2 K, as corroborated through magnetic susceptibility measurements. Upon exposure to the atmosphere, the latter exhibits the release of three molecules of acetone per complex, turning into the solvent-free analogue [Fe(H4L1)(2bbp)](ClO4)2 (3a), through a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation. This guest extrusion process is accompanied by a spin switch, from HS to LS.

Snapshots of a solid-state transformation: coexistence of three phases trapped in one crystal

Solvent extrusion leads to crystallographic–magnetic transition within a molecular complex via an intermediate that can be trapped and characterized.

Crystal-to-crystal transformations have been crucial in the understanding of solid-state processes, since these may be studied in detail by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) techniques. The description of the mechanisms and potential intermediates of those processes remains very challenging. In fact, solid-state transient states have rarely been observed, at least to a sufficient level of detail. We have investigated the process of guest extrusion from the non-porous molecular material [Fe(bpp)(H₂L)](ClO₄)₂·1.5C₃H₆O (bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine; H₂L = 2,6-bis(5-(2-methoxyphenyl)-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine; C₃H₆O = acetone), which occurs through ordered diffusion of acetone in a crystal-to-crystal manner, leading to dramatic structural changes. The slow kinetics of the transition allows thermal trapping of the system at various intermediate stages. The transiting single crystal can be then examined at these points through synchrotron SCXRD, offering a window upon the mechanism of the transformation at the molecular scale. These experiments have unveiled the development of an ordered intermediate phase, distinct from the initial and the final states, coexisting as the process advances with either of these two phases or, at a certain moment with both of them. The new intermediate phase has been structurally characterized in full detail by SCXRD, providing insights into the mechanism of this diffusion triggered solid-state phenomenon. The process has been also followed by calorimetry, optical microscopy, local Raman spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The discovery and description of an intermediate ordered state in a molecular solid-state transformation is of great interest and will help to understand the mechanistic details and reaction pathways underlying these transformations.

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.

Designed intramolecular blocking of the spin crossover of an Fe(ii) complex

Ligand intramolecular interactions trap an Fe(ii) complex in the high spin state, in a case of thermodynamic trapping rather than kinetic.

Investigation of nucleation and growth phenomena during the thermal and light induced spin transition in the [Fe(1-bpp)2][BF4]2 complex

Optical microscopy measurements have been realized on single crystals of the [Fe(1-bpp)2][BF4]2 complex (1-bpp=2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine). The thermal spin transition around 253 K occurs by a heterogeneous nucleation and growth mechanism and involves a clear phase separation and a small hysteresis. This very abrupt and complete thermal transition is preceded by a premonitory spin conversion, which implies only a small fraction (ca. 2–3 %) of the molecules. This peculiar behavior may be the sign of heterophase fluctuations. The light-induced spin transition from the stable low spin (LS) to the metastable high spin (HS) phase was achieved at 80 K by focusing laser light into a small volume fraction of the crystal. Under continuous irradiation this photo-converted HS “nucleus” then grows and the whole crystal converts to the HS phase providing evidence for a light-induced instability in the system due to long-range elastic interactions. The relaxation of the light-induced metastable HS phase at 83 K follows a sigmoidal decay – typical of cooperative spin crossover systems. Nevertheless the spatial development of this relaxation process appears very homogeneous and no phase separation could be detected within the resolution of the optical microscope.

Iron(II) complexes of tridentate indazolylpyridine ligands: enhanced spin-crossover hysteresis and ligand-based fluorescence

Reaction of 2,6-difluoropyridine with 2 equiv of indazole and NaH at room temperature affords a mixture of 2,6-bis(indazol-1-yl)pyridine (1-bip), 2-(indazol-1-yl)-6-(indazol-2-yl)pyridine (1,2-bip), and 2,6-bis(indazol-2-yl)pyridine (2-bip), which can be separated by solvent extraction. A two-step procedure using the same conditions also affords both 2-(indazol-1-yl)-6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (1-ipp) and 2-(indazol-2-yl)-6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (2-ipp). These are all annelated analogues of 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine, an important ligand for spin-crossover complexes. Iron(II) complexes [Fe(1-bip)2](2+), [Fe(1,2-bip)2](2+), and [Fe(1-ipp)2](2+) are low-spin at room temperature, reflecting sterically imposed conformational rigidity of the 1-indazolyl ligands. In contrast, the 2-indazolyl complexes [Fe(2-bip)2](2+) and [Fe(2-ipp)2](2+) are high-spin in solution at room temperature, whereas salts of [Fe(2-bip)2](2+) exhibit thermal spin transitions in the solid state. Notably, [Fe(2-bip)2][BF4]2·2MeNO2 adopts a terpyridine embrace lattice structure and undergoes a spin transition near room temperature after annealing, resulting in thermal hysteresis that is wider than previously observed for this structure type (T1/2 = 266 K, ΔT = 16-20 K). This reflects enhanced mechanical coupling between the cations in the lattice through interdigitation of their ligand arms, which supports a previously proposed structure/function relationship for spin-crossover materials with this form of crystal packing. All of the compounds in this work exhibit blue fluorescence in solution under ambient conditions. In most cases, the ligand-based emission maxima are slightly red shifted upon complexation, but there is no detectable correlation between the emission maximum and the spin state of the iron centers.

Molecular self-recognition: a chiral [Mn(ii)6] wheel via donor–acceptor π⋯π contacts and H-bonds

A multicomponent ligand binds three Mn(ii) centers into a cluster that exhibits self-recognition through a diverse array of complementary intermolecular interactions, that multiply in the solid state, and seem to persist in solution.

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.

High-temperature photo-induced switching and pressure-induced transition in a cooperative molecular spin-crossover material

The thermal and photo-induced switching properties of the recently published molecular spin crossover complex [Fe(H4L)2](ClO4)2·H2O·2(CH3)2CO () have been investigated in detail through Raman spectroscopy. Magnetometric and single crystal X-ray diffraction kinetic studies within the hysteresis loop have proven its metastable character, which allowed establishing the shape of the true, quasi-static hysteresis loop. This is related to the proximity of the temperatures of the thermal high to low spin SCO (T1/2↓) to those of the relaxation of the thermally or photo-generated metastable states (T(TIESST) and T(LIESST), respectively). Green light irradiation within the hysteresis loop results in a complete low to high spin photo-switch. In addition, the SCO of at room temperature can be induced by applying pressure, as followed by Raman spectroscopy.

Three-way crystal-to-crystal reversible transformation and controlled spin switching by a nonporous molecular material

Porous materials capable of hosting external molecules are paramount in basic and applied research. Nonporous materials able to incorporate molecules via internal lattice reorganization are however extremely rare since their structural integrity usually does not resist the guest exchange processes. The novel heteroleptic low-spin Fe(II) complex [Fe(bpp)(H2L)](ClO4)2·1.5C3H6O (1; bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine, H2L = 2,6-bis(5-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine) crystallizes as a compact discrete, nonporous material hosting solvate molecules of acetone. The system is able to extrude one-third of these molecules to lead to [Fe(bpp)(H2L)](ClO4)2·C3H6O (2), switching to the high-spin state while experiencing a profound crystallographic change. Compound 2 can be reversed to the original material upon reabsorption of acetone. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments on the latter system (1') and on 2 show that these are reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformations. Likewise, complex 2 can replace acetone by MeOH and H2O to form [Fe(bpp)(H2L)](ClO4)2·1.25MeOH·0.5H2O (3) through a SCSC process that also implies a switch to the spin state. The 3→1 transformation through acetone reabsorption is also demonstrated. Besides the spin switching at room temperature, this series of SCSC transformations causes macroscopic changes in color that can be followed by the naked eye. The reversible exchanges of chemicals are therefore easily sensed at the temperature at which these occur, contrary to what is the case for most of the few existing nonporous spin-based sensors, which feature a large temperature gap between the process monitored and the mechanism of detection.