Spin crossover iron complexes with spin transition near room temperature based on nitrogen ligands containing aromatic rings: from molecular design to functional devices

During last decades, significant advances have been made in iron-based spin crossover (SCO) complexes, with a particular emphasis on achieving reversible and reproducible thermal hysteresis at room temperature (RT). This pursuit represents a pivotal goal within the field of molecular magnetism, aiming to create molecular devices capable of operating in ambient conditions. Here, we summarize the recent progress of iron complexes with spin transition near RT based on nitrogen ligands containing aromatic rings from molecular design to functional devices. Specifically, we discuss the various factors, including supramolecular interactions, crystal packing, guest molecules and pressure effects, that could influence its cooperativity and the spin transition temperature. Furthermore, the most recent advances in their implementation as mechanical actuators, switching/memories, sensors, and other devices, have been introduced as well. Finally, we give a perspective on current challenges and future directions in SCO community.

Impact of flexible hexyl chain ordering in a mononuclear spin crossover iron(III) complex

A novel FeIII complex [Fe(Hex-tnal)2]BPh4 (1) with a tridentate N2O ligand having an n-hexyl chain, Hex-Htnal (=1-((((1-hexyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)imino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol), is reported. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that 1 exhibits a two-step spin crossover (SCO) transition in the 400-10 K temperature range, including an unusual gradual χMT change above RT (300-345 K) and a hysteretic χMT jump in a narrow temperature range of 345-357 K. These behaviors were also characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. Variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the order-disorder transition and conformational change of the hexyl chains and the symmetry change associated with the re-entrant structural phase transition, namely triclinic P1̄ (100-275 K) ↔ monoclinic C2/c (296-340 K) ↔ triclinic P1̄ (360 K), are coupled to variations in intermolecular interactions and the N4O2 coordination environment, resulting in the occurrence of the unusual two-step SCO transition of 1. This study demonstrates that the flexible motion of alkyl substituents in the supramolecular lattice influences the occurrence of anomalous magnetic switching properties.

Anion-driven supramolecular modulation of spin-crossover properties in mononuclear iron(III) Schiff-base complexes

A series of Fe(III) complexes [Fe(5-F-sal-N-1,4,7,10)]Y (Y = PF₆^- for 1, Y = ClO₄^- for 2, Y = I^- for 3 and Y = NO₃^- for 4) have been prepared. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies show that complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pna2₁ space group and complexes 2-4 have an isomorphous structure and crystallize in the same monoclinic space group, P2₁/n. Complexes 2-4 have two independent molecules (Fe1 and Fe2) in the unit cell. Magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrated that complexes 1 and 3 showed a gradual one-step SCO behavior (T_1/2 for 1 = 177 K and for 3 = 227 K) without thermal hysteresis. The magnetic behavior of 2 shows an incomplete two-step SCO process at T_1/2 = 114 K and 170 K, respectively, while 4 is in a high-spin state at all measured temperatures. A careful evaluation of the supramolecular structures of these complexes revealed correlation between the supramolecular packing forces and their SCO behavior. The crystal structure of 1 consists of a three-dimensional (3D) extended network constructed from N-H⋯F and C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds, and C-H⋯π and C⋯C short contacts. In compounds 2-4, the crystal packing is governed by C⋯C, C-H⋯π and p-π interactions for the Fe1 centers and by C-H⋯π/O interactions for the Fe2 centers, which form 1D chains. Additional interactions (C-H⋯F and N-H⋯O/I) connect the neighboring chains and planes to form a complex supramolecular network. The anion⋯π interactions in 4 provide a means for preventing SCO occurring at low temperatures. This suggests that the supramolecular connectivity of the anions influences the magnetic properties.

Halogen-Substituted Spin-Crossover Fe(III) Compounds with Photoresponsive Properties

Halogen-substituted Fe(III) compounds, [Fe(Hphsalpm^X)₂]PTFB (Hphsalpm^X = 5-X-(R,S)-((phenyl(2-pyridyl)methylimino)methyl)phenol, PTFB = phenyltrifluoroborate; X = F for 1, Cl for 2, Br for 3) and [Fe(Hphsalpm^X)₂]PTFB·MeOH (X = I for 4·MeOH), were synthesized. Compounds 1, 4·MeOH, and its desolvated form 4 exhibited an invariant high-spin state in the whole temperature range, while 2 and 3 underwent gradual, nonhysteretic, and incomplete spin crossover (SCO) with transition temperatures (T_C) of 153 and 220 K, respectively. Interestingly, the SCO-active compounds 2 and 3 showed light-induced excited spin-state trapping (LIESST) effects at 10 K, and light-induced reversible ON/OFF switching behaviors were realized by alternately using 880 and 1064 nm light, while the thermally inert compound 4·MeOH unexpectedly showed a reverse-LIESST effect. These results may help to design and synthesize new photoresponsive SCO Fe(III) compounds for the development of switchable materials.

High temperature anionic Fe(III) spin crossover behavior in a mixed-valence Fe(II)/Fe(III) complex

Two ion-pair Fe(iii) complexes (PPh4)[FeIII(HATD)2]·2H2O (1, H3ATD = azotetrazolyl-2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene) and [FeII(phen)3][FeIII(HATD)2]2·3DMA·3.5H2O (2, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, DMA = N,N-dimethylformamide) were synthesized by employing the tridentate ligand H3ATD. Crystal structure analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 2 consist of FeIII ions in an octahedral environment where a FeIII ion is coordinated by two HATD2- ligands forming the [FeIII(HATD)2]- core. The shortest cationanion distance between the phosphorus ion of the (PPh4)+ cation and the ferric ion of the [FeIII(HATD)2]- anion is 13.190 Å in complex 1, whereas that between the ferrous ion of the [FeII(Phen)3]2+ cation and the ferric ion of the [FeIII(HATD)2]- anion is 7.821 Å in complex 2. C-HC and C-HO hydrogen interactions between the [FeII(phen)3]2+ cation and the [FeIII(HATD)2]- anion are observed in 2. Face-to-face π-π stacking interactions between naphthalene rings with the separated interplanar center to center distances of 3.421-3.680 Å were observed, which result in a one-dimensional supramolecular chain in complexes 1 and 2. Magnetic measurements show that complex 1 is in the low-spin (LS) state below 500 K, whereas 2 undergoes a high temperature spin crossover (SCO) between 360 and 500 K. Magneto-structural relationship studies reveal that π-stacking, hydrogen interactions and Coulomb interactions between the [FeIII(HATD)2]- anion and the [FeII(phen)3]2+ cation play a crucial role in the high temperature Fe(iii) SCO behaviour of complex 2.

Light-induced excited spin state trapping in iron(iii) complexes

This review discusses the correlation of the local and whole molecular structure of iron(iii) complexes with the magnetic properties including the light-induced excited spin-state trapping (LIESST) effect.

Room temperature conductance switching in a molecular iron(iii) spin crossover junction

Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction. The junction is constructed from [Fe^III(qsal-I)₂]NTf₂ (qsal-I = 4-iodo-2-[(8-quinolylimino)methyl]phenolate) molecules self-assembled on graphene surfaces with conductance switching of one order of magnitude associated with the high and low spin states of the SCO complex. Normalized conductance analysis of the current–voltage characteristics as a function of temperature reveals that charge transport across the SCO molecule is dominated by coherent tunnelling. Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory confirm the SCO complex retains its SCO functionality on the surface implying that van der Waals molecule—electrode interfaces provide a good trade-off between junction stability while retaining SCO switching capability. These results provide new insights and may aid in the design of other types of molecular devices based on SCO compounds.

Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction.