Downsizing of Nanocrystals While Retaining Bistable Spin Crossover Properties in Three-Dimensional Hofmann-Type {Fe(pz)[Pt(CN)4]}-Iodine Adducts

Size-Dependent Spin Crossover and Bond Flexibility in Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles

Size reduction offers a synthetic route to tunable phase change behavior. Preparing materials as nanoparticles causes drastic modulations to critical temperatures (Tc), hysteresis widths, and the "sharpness" of first-order versus second-order phase transitions. A microscopic picture of the chemistry underlying this size dependence in phenomena ranging from melting to superconductivity remains debated. As a case study with broad implications, we report that size-dependent spin crossover (SCO) in nanocrystals of the metal-organic framework (MOF) Fe(1,2,3-triazolate)2 arises from metal-linker bonds becoming more labile in smaller particles. In comparison to the bulk material, differential scanning calorimetry indicates a ∼ 30-40% reduction in Tc and ΔH in the smallest particles. Variable-temperature vibrational spectroscopy reveals a diminished long-range structural cooperativity, while X-ray diffraction evidence an over 3-fold increase in the thermal expansion coefficients. This "phonon softening" provides a molecular mechanism for designing size-dependent behavior in framework materials and for understanding phase changes in general.

Spin-Resolved Band Structure of Hoffman Clathrate [Fe(pz)2Pt(CN)4] as an Essential Tool to Predict Optical Spectra of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Paramount spin-crossover properties of the 3D-Hoffman metalorganic framework (MOF) [Fe(pz)₂Pt(CN)₄] are generally described on the basis of the ligand field theory, which provides adequate insight into theoretical and simulation analysis of spintronic complexes. However, the ligand field approximation does not take into account the 3D periodicity of the actual complex lattice and surface effects and therefore cannot predict a full-scale periodic structure without utilizing more advanced methods. Therefore, in this paper, the electronic properties of the exemplar MOF were analyzed from the band structure perspective in low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states. The density-of-states spectra determined for both spin-up and spin-down electrons of Fe d⁶ orbitals indicate spin-orbital splitting and delocalization for HS due to spin polarization in the iron atom ligand field. Presence of the surface states in the real crystal causes a red shift of the metal-metal charge transfer (MMCT) and metal-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) peaks for both HS and LS states. The addition of residual water molecules and disorder among the pyrazine rings reveal additional influences on the positions of the pyrazine band and, therefore, on the absorption spectra of the crystal. The results show a magnification of the peak correlated with the MLCT in the HS state and a significant red shift of the LS characteristic absorption band. The presented approach involving band structure analysis delivers a more complete image of the electronic properties of the [Fe(pz)₂Pt(CN)₄] crystalline network and can be a landmark for insightful studies of other MOFs.

Guest-triggered "Soma-Iwamoto-type" penetration complex {Fe(4-methoxypyrimidine)2[M(CN)2]2}·Guest (M = Ag, Au)

Many laboratories have performed extensive studies on the spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon. Herein, we synthesized novel "Soma-Iwamoto type" complexes containing a 4-methoxypyrimidine (4-MeOPmd) ligand, i.e., {Fe(4-MeOPmd)₂[Ag(CN)₂]₂} (1Ag), {Fe(4-MeOPmd)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂} (1Au), and {Fe(4-MeOPmd)₂[Ag(CN)₂]₂·0.25(4-MeOPmd)} (1Ag·0.25G). Moreover, we synthesized a 4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine (4,6-diMeOPmd) clathrate complex, i.e., {Fe(4-MeOPmd)₂[Ag(CN)₂]₂·0.25(4,6-diMeOPmd)} (2Ag·0.25G) and {Fe(4-MeOPmd)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂·0.25(4,6-diMeOPmd)} (2Au·0.25G). Some of these complexes, i.e., 1Ag·0.25G, 2Ag·0.25G, and 2Au·0.25G, demonstrated penetrated structures, which are very interesting given that they have rarely been reported to date. 1Au and 1Ag did not show the SCO phenomenon, 1Ag·0.25G showed a gradual multi-step SCO phenomenon, and 2Au·0.25G and 2Ag·0.25G showed an abrupt half SCO phenomenon.

Spin-State Modulation in FeII -Based Hofmann-Type Coordination Polymers: From Molecules to Materials

Spin crossover complexes that reversibly interconvert between two stable states imitate a binary state of 0 and 1, delivering a promising possibility to address the data processing concept in smart materials. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the modulation of magnetic transition between high spin and low spin and the factors responsible for stabilizing the spin states is an essential theme in modern materials design. In this context, the present review attempts to provide a concise outline of the design strategy employed at the molecular level for fine-tuning the spin-state switching in Fe^II -based Hofmann-type coordination polymers and their effects on the optical and magnetic response. In addition, development towards the nanoscale architectures of HCPs, i. e., in terms of nanoparticles and thin films, are emphasized to bridge the gap between the laboratory and reality.