Raman and nuclear inelastic scattering study of the lattice dynamics of the [Fe(H 2 B(pz) 2 ) 2 (phen)] spin crossover complex

Spin crossover in dinuclear iron(II) complexes bridged by bis-bipyridine ligands: dimer effects on electronic structure, spectroscopic properties and spin-state switching

Inspired by the well-studied mononuclear spin crossover compound [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)], the bipyridine-based bisbidentate ligands 1,2-di(2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl)ethyne (ac(bipy)2) and 1,4-di(2,2'-bipyridine-5-yl)-3,5-dimethoxybenzene (Ph(OMe)2(bipy)2) are used to bridge two [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2] units, leading to the charge-neutral dinuclear iron(II) compounds [{Fe(H2B(pz)2)2}2 μ-(ac(bipy)2)] (1) and [{Fe(H2B(pz)2)2}2 μ-(Ph(OMe)2(bipy)2)] (2), respectively. The spin-crossover properties of these molecules are investigated by temperature-dependent PPMS measurements, Mössbauer, vibrational and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as X-ray absorption spectroscopy. While compound 1 undergoes complete SCO with T1/2 = 125 K, an incomplete spin transition is observed for 2 with an inflection point at 152 K and a remaining high-spin fraction of 40% below 65 K. The spin transitions of the dinuclear compounds are also more gradual than for the parent compound [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)]. This is attributed to steric hindrance between the molecules, limiting intermolecular interactions such as π-π-stacking.

Pressure Tuning of Coupled Structural and Spin State Transitions in the Molecular Complex [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(phen)]

The large volume change, which accompanies the molecular spin crossover (SCO) phenomenon in some transition metal complexes, prompts frequently the coupling of the SCO with other instabilities. Understanding the driving mechanism(s) of such coupled phase transitions is not only important for fundamental reasons but also provides scope for the development of multifunctional materials. The general theoretical expectation is that the coupling has elastic origin, and the sequence of transitions can be tuned by an externally applied pressure, but dedicated experiments remain scarce. Here, we used high-pressure and low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction to investigate the high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) transitions in the molecular complexes [Fe^II(H₂B(pz)₂)₂(bipy)] and [Fe^II(H₂B(pz)₂)₂(phen)]. In the bipyridine complex, the SCO is continuous and isostructural over the whole T, P-range (100-300 K, 0-2 GPa). In the phenanthroline derivative, however, the SCO is concomitant with a symmetry-breaking transition (C2/c to P1̅). Structural analysis reveals that the coupling between the two phenomena can be tuned by external pressure from a virtually simultaneous HS_C2/c-LS_P1̅ transition to the sequence of HS_C2/c-LS_C2/c-LS_P1̅ transitions. The correlation of spontaneous strain and order parameter behaviors highlights that the "separated" transitions remain still connected via strain coupling, whereas the "simultaneous" transitions are partially split.

Synchrotron-based Mössbauer spectroscopy characterization of sublimated spin crossover molecules

The spin crossover (SCO) efficiency of [⁵⁷Fe(bpz)₂(phen)] (where bpz = bis(pyrazol-1-yl)borohydride and phen = 9,10-phenantroline) molecules deposited on gold substrates was investigated by means of synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. The spin transition was driven thermally, or light induced via the LIESST (light induced excited spin-state trapping) effect. Both sets of measurements show that, once deposited on a gold substrate, the efficiency of the SCO mechanism is modified with respect to molecules in the bulk phase. A correlation in the distribution of hyperfine parameters in the sublimated films, not evidenced so far in the bulk phase, is reported. This translates into geometrical distortions of the first coordination sphere of the iron atom that seem to correlate with the decreased spin conversion. The work reported clearly shows the potentiality of synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy for the characterization of nanostructured Fe-based SCO systems, thus resulting as a key tool in view of their applications in innovative nanoscale devices.

Drastic lattice softening in mixed triazole ligand iron(ii) spin crossover nanoparticles

A series of spin-crossover (SCO) coordination nanoparticles (ca. 60 nm) with the general formulae [Fe(Htrz)1+y-x(trz)2-y(NH2trz)x](BF4)y·nH2O (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) were synthesized in concentrated solutions without using any surfactant or polymer. The nanoparticle powders were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, calorimetry, Raman/IR spectroscopies, elemental analysis and 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry. Remarkably, the latter revealed a large decrease of the lattice stiffness when incorporating a small amount of amino-triazole ligand, reflected by the drop of the Debye temperature from 285 K (x = 0) to 205 K (x = 0.3). This collapse of the lattice cohesion was attributed to a reorganization of the supramolecular interactions between the Fe-triazole chains. This effect on the SCO properties is also discussed.