Enhanced Cooperativity in Supported Spin-Crossover Metal-Organic Frameworks

Voltage-Induced Bistability of Single Spin-Crossover Molecules in a Two-Dimensional Monolayer

Bistable spin-crossover molecules are particularly interesting for the development of innovative electronic and spintronic devices as they present two spin states that can be controlled by external stimuli. In this paper, we report the voltage-induced switching of the high spin/low spin electronic states of spin-crossover molecules self-assembled in dense 2D networks on Au(111) and Cu(111) by scanning tunneling microscopy at low temperature. On Au(111), voltage pulses lead to the nonlocal switching of the molecules from any─high or low─spin state to the other followed by a spontaneous relaxation toward their initial state within minutes. On the other hand, on Cu(111), single molecules can be addressed at will. They retain their new electronic configuration after a voltage pulse. The memory effect demonstrated on Cu(111) is due to an interplay between long-range intermolecular interaction and molecule/substrate coupling as confirmed by mechanoelastic simulations.

Spin-Crossover Molecules on Surfaces: From Isolated Molecules to Ultrathin Films

Molecular spintronics seeks to use single or few molecules as functional building blocks for spintronic applications, directly relying on molecular properties or properties of interfaces between molecules and inorganic electrodes. Spin-crossover molecules (SCMs) are one of the most promising classes of candidates for molecular spintronics due to their bistability deriving from the existence of two spin states that can be reversibly switched by temperature, light, electric fields, etc. Building devices based on single or few molecules would entail connecting the molecule(s) with solid surfaces and understanding the fundamental behavior of the resulting assemblies. Herein, the investigations of SCMs on solid surfaces, ranging from isolated single molecules (submonolayers) to ultrathin films (mainly in the sub-10 nm range) are summarized. The achievements, challenges and prospects in this field are highlighted.

Probing Magnetism in Artificial Metal-Organic Complexes Using Electronic Spin Relaxometry

Single spins are considered as a versatile candidate for miniaturizing information devices down to the nanoscale. To engineer the spin's properties, metal-organic frameworks provide a promising route which in turn requires thorough understanding of the metal-molecule interaction. Here, we investigate the magnetic robustness of a single iron (Fe) atom in artificially built Fe-tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) complexes by using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We find that the magnetic anisotropy and spin relaxation dynamics of the Fe atom within the complexes remain unperturbed in comparison to well-isolated Fe atoms. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations support our experimental findings, suggesting that the 3d orbitals of the Fe atom remain largely undisturbed while the 4s and 4p orbitals are rearranged in the process of forming a complex. To precisely determine the location of the spin center within the complex, we utilize STM-based spin relaxometry, mapping out the spatial dependence of spin relaxation with subnanometer resolution. Our work suggests that the magnetic properties of atoms can remain unchanged while being embedded in a weakly bound molecular framework.

Seeing Is Believing: Experimental Spin States from Machine Learning Model Structure Predictions

Determination of ground-state spins of open-shell transition-metal complexes is critical to understanding catalytic and materials properties but also challenging with approximate electronic structure methods. As an alternative approach, we demonstrate how structure alone can be used to guide assignment of ground-state spin from experimentally determined crystal structures of transition-metal complexes. We first identify the limits of distance-based heuristics from distributions of metal–ligand bond lengths of over 2000 unique mononuclear Fe(II)/Fe(III) transition-metal complexes. To overcome these limits, we employ artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict spin-state-dependent metal–ligand bond lengths and classify experimental ground-state spins based on agreement of experimental structures with the ANN predictions. Although the ANN is trained on hybrid density functional theory data, we exploit the method-insensitivity of geometric properties to enable assignment of ground states for the majority (ca. 80–90%) of structures. We demonstrate the utility of the ANN by data-mining the literature for spin-crossover (SCO) complexes, which have experimentally observed temperature-dependent geometric structure changes, by correctly assigning almost all (>95%) spin states in the 46 Fe(II) SCO complex set. This approach represents a promising complement to more conventional energy-based spin-state assignment from electronic structure theory at the low cost of a machine learning model.

Large-scale comparison of 3d and 4d transition metal complexes illuminates the reduced effect of exchange on second-row spin-state energetics

The origin of distinct 3d vs. 4d transition metal complex sensitivity to exchange is explored over a large data set.

Importance of Epitaxial Strain at a Spin-Crossover Molecule-Metal Interface

Spin-crossover molecules are very appealing for use in multifunctional spintronic devices because of their ability to switch between high-spin and low-spin states with external stimuli such as voltage and light. In actual devices, the molecules are deposited on a substrate, which can modify their properties. However, surprisingly little is known about such molecule-substrate effects. Here we show for the first time, by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, that an Fe^II spin-crossover molecular layer displays a well-defined epitaxial relationship with a metal substrate. Then we show, by both density functional calculations and a mechanoelastic model, that the resulting epitaxial strain and the related internal pressure can induce a partial spin conversion at low temperatures, which has indeed been observed experimentally. Our results emphasize the importance of substrate-induced spin state transitions and raise the possibility of exploiting them.

Phase Stability of Spin-Crossover Nanoparticles Investigated by Synchrotron Mössbauer Spectroscopy and Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Spin-crossover nanomaterials have been actively studied in the past decade for their potential technological applications in sensing, actuating, and information processing devices. Unfortunately, an increasing number of the metallic centers become inactive at reduced sizes, presumably due to surface effects, limiting their switching ability and thus the scope of applications. Here we report on the investigation of "frozen" metallic centers in nanoparticles (2-80 nm size) of the spin-crossover compound Fe(pyrazine)[Ni(CN)₄]. Magnetic measurements reveal both high-spin and low-spin residual fractions at atmospheric pressure. A pressure-induced transition of the high-spin residue is observed at around 1.5 GPa by synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. We show that it is equivalent to a downshift of the transition temperature by ca. 400 K due to the size reduction. Unexpectedly, small-angle neutron scattering experiments demonstrate that these high-spin residual centers are not confined to the surface, which contradicts general theoretical considerations.

Spin Interconversion of Heme-Peroxo-Copper Complexes Facilitated by Intramolecular Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions

Synthetic peroxo-bridged high-spin (HS) heme-(μ-η2:η1-O22-)-Cu(L) complexes incorporating (as part of the copper ligand) intramolecular hydrogen-bond (H-bond) capabilities and/or steric effects are herein demonstrated to affect the complex's electronic and geometric structure, notably impacting the spin state. An H-bonding interaction with the peroxo core favors a low-spin (LS) heme-(μ-η1:η1-O22-)-Cu(L) structure, resulting in a reversible temperature-dependent interconversion of spin state (5 coordinate HS to 6 coordinate LS). The LS state dominates at low temperatures, even in the absence of a strong trans-axial heme ligand. Lewis base addition inhibits the H-bond facilitated spin interconversion by competition for the H-bond donor, illustrating the precise H-bonding interaction required to induce spin-crossover (SCO). Resonance Raman spectroscopy (rR) shows that the H-bonding pendant interacts with the bridging peroxide ligand to stabilize the LS but not the HS state. The H-bond (to the Cu-bound O atom) acts to weaken the O-O bond and strengthen the Fe-O bond, exhibiting ν(M-O) and ν(O-O) values comparable to analogous known LS complexes with a strong donating trans-axial ligand, 1,5-dicyclohexylimidazole, (DCHIm)heme-(μ-η1:η1-O22-)-Cu(L). Variable-temperature (-90 to -130 °C) UV-vis and 2H NMR spectroscopies confirm the SCO process and implicate the involvement of solvent binding. Examining a case of solvent binding without SCO, thermodynamic parameters were obtained from a van't Hoff analysis, accounting for its contribution in SCO. Taken together, these data provide evidence for the H-bond group facilitating a core geometry change and allowing solvent to bind, stabilizing a LS state. The rR data, complemented by DFT analysis, reveal a stronger H-bonding interaction with the peroxo core in the LS compared to the HS complexes, which enthalpically favors the LS state. These insights enhance our fundamental understanding of secondary coordination sphere influences in metalloenzymes.

The self-assembly and metal adatom coordination of a linear bis-tetrazole ligand on Ag(111)

We employ a linear linker molecule consisting of a benzene functionalised with two tetrazole moieties at para positions. Its self-assembly and coordination with the native silver adatoms and codeposited Fe adatoms on a Ag(111) surface under ultra high vacuum conditions are investigated by means of scanning tunnelling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We discover a rich spectrum of room-temperature stable Ag and Fe2+ coordination nodes depending on the formation temperature.

Evolution of cooperativity in the spin transition of an iron(II) complex on a graphite surface

Cooperative effects determine the spin-state bistability of spin-crossover molecules (SCMs). Herein, the ultimate scale limit at which cooperative spin switching becomes effective is investigated in a complex [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)] deposited on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface, using x-ray absorption spectroscopy. This system exhibits a complete thermal- and light-induced spin transition at thicknesses ranging from submonolayers to multilayers. On increasing the coverage from 0.35(4) to 10(1) monolayers, the width of the temperature-induced spin transition curve narrows significantly, evidencing the buildup of cooperative effects. While the molecules at the submonolayers exhibit an apparent anticooperative behavior, the multilayers starting from a double-layer exhibit a distinctly cooperative spin switching, with a free-molecule-like behavior indicated at around a monolayer. These observations will serve as useful guidelines in designing SCM-based devices.

Cooperativity in Spin Crossover Systems. An Atomistic Perspective on the Devil's Staircase

Cooperativity is key in defining the shape (i.e., gradual, abrupt, or hysteretic) of thermally driven spin transitions in magnetic switches. Despite its importance, there is very little information on its atomistic origin, which hinders the rational design of materials displaying a bistability region (i.e., hysteresis). In this paper, we investigate the spin transition of two solvatomorphs of [Fe(2-pic)₃]Cl₂, an Fe(II)-complex displaying thermal spin crossover (SCO) from a low-spin (LS) to a high-spin (HS) state with either gradual or abrupt two-step character. To do it, we apply a novel computational protocol to study the cooperativity of SCO compounds from DFT calculations, which does not rely on a priori assumptions on the studied system. The distinct shape of the spin transition is successfully captured, and the atomistic origin of cooperativity is traced back to geometrical distortions of the Fe-N₆ core in case of the solvatomorph exhibiting an abrupt transition. According to our calculations, HS and LS molecules contribute differently to cooperativity, which results in a complex energetic evolution of the spin transition that cannot be described by the common Slichter-Drickamer model. The present work opens new avenues for the study of cooperativity of SCO systems having a chemically oriented perspective and demonstrates that quantum chemistry calculations can discriminate the shape of a spin transition, while providing insight into the atomistic underlying factors that contribute to its cooperative behavior.

Engineering On-Surface Spin Crossover: Spin-State Switching in a Self-Assembled Film of Vacuum-Sublimable Functional Molecule

The realization of spin-crossover (SCO)-based applications requires study of the spin-state switching characteristics of SCO complex molecules within nanostructured environments, especially on surfaces. Except for a very few cases, the SCO of a surface-bound thin molecular film is either quenched or heavily altered due to: (i) molecule-surface interactions and (ii) differing intermolecular interactions in films relative to the bulk. By fabricating SCO complexes on a weakly interacting surface, the interfacial quenching problem is tackled. However, engineering intermolecular interactions in thin SCO active films is rather difficult. Here, a molecular self-assembly strategy is proposed to fabricate thin spin-switchable surface-bound films with programmable intermolecular interactions. Molecular engineering of the parent complex system [Fe(H₂ B(pz)₂ )₂ (bpy)] (pz = pyrazole, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with a dodecyl (C₁₂ ) alkyl chain yields a classical amphiphile-like functional and vacuum-sublimable charge-neutral Fe^II complex, [Fe(H₂ B(pz)₂ )₂ (C₁₂ -bpy)] (C₁₂ -bpy = dodecyl[2,2'-bipyridine]-5-carboxylate). Both the bulk powder and 10 nm thin films sublimed onto either quartz glass or SiO_x surfaces of the complex show comparable spin-state switching characteristics mediated by similar lamellar bilayer like self-assembly/molecular interactions. This unprecedented observation augurs well for the development of SCO-based applications, especially in molecular spintronics.

Accelerating Chemical Discovery with Machine Learning: Simulated Evolution of Spin Crossover Complexes with an Artificial Neural Network

Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful complement to simulation for materials discovery by reducing time for evaluation of energies and properties at accuracy competitive with first-principles methods. We use genetic algorithm (GA) optimization to discover unconventional spin-crossover complexes in combination with efficient scoring from an artificial neural network (ANN) that predicts spin-state splitting of inorganic complexes. We explore a compound space of over 5600 candidate materials derived from eight metal/oxidation state combinations and a 32-ligand pool. We introduce a strategy for error-aware ML-driven discovery by limiting how far the GA travels away from the nearest ANN training points while maximizing property (i.e., spin-splitting) fitness, leading to discovery of 80% of the leads from full chemical space enumeration. Over a 51-complex subset, average unsigned errors (4.5 kcal/mol) are close to the ANN's baseline 3 kcal/mol error. By obtaining leads from the trained ANN within seconds rather than days from a DFT-driven GA, this strategy demonstrates the power of ML for accelerating inorganic material discovery.