Heterobimetallic MOFs Containing Tetrathiocyanometallate Building Blocks: Pressure-Induced Spin Crossover in the Porous {FeII(pz)[PdII(SCN)4]} 3D Coordination Polymer

Mechanical Exfoliation of Multilayer Pseudohalogen-Bridged Nanosheets

The development of nanolayered materials is one of the greatest challenges in nanoscience. Until now, pseudohalogen-bridged nanosheets using the mechanical exfoliation method have not been reported. A state-of-the-art material, {[FeII(3-acetylpyridine)2][HgII(μ-SCN)4]}n (1), has been developed to achieve the goal. The compound forms a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer with weak out-of-plane van der Waals interactions and has an intrinsic tendency to form shear planes perpendicular to the crystallographic c-direction. These structural features predispose 1 to mechanical exfoliation realized by employing the "Scotch-tape method". As a result, nanosheets were fabricated and characterized by digital optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The nanosheets were found to have a minimum thickness of ∼15 nm and a lateral size of several micrometers. As the first example of thiocyanato-bridged coordination nanosheets, these materials extend the scope of 2D materials and potentially pave the way toward developing nanolayered materials.

Unraveling the origin of the cooperative adsorption of carbon monoxide in an Fe(II) metal-organic framework

Using periodic DFT calculations, we have established the mechanism of the unusual cooperative adsorption of CO gas in an Fe-bistriazolate MOF observed previously. The binding of one CO molecule to FeII triggers structural alteration of the neighbouring Fe centres, reducing the steric energy penalty and aiding cooperative adsorption. This is similar to the entatic state concept proposed for metalloenzymes, and offers novel strategies for selective gas adsorption.

Nonlinear Optical and Magnetic Properties of FeII-SCN-HgII Isomers: Centrosymmetric Layers and Chiral Networks

Research on isomers is highly desirable due to their prospective role in better understanding of physicochemical properties of similar systems and further development of multifunctional molecular materials. Iron(II) and tetra(thiocyanato)mercury(II) ions self-assembled in the presence of 2-acetylpyridine (2-acpy) excess to form two {[Fe(2-acpy)][Hg(μ-SCN)₄]}_n isomers: two-dimensional (2D) centrosymmetric layers with folded ring structural motifs (1) and three-dimensional (3D) chiral networks with right- or left-handed {···Fe-NCS-Hg-SCN···}_∞ helixes (2). New methods of designing and synthesizing functional thiocyanate-bridged materials have been proposed. In addition, the similarity between 1 and 2 allowed for the description of subtle changes in IR and UV-visible spectra. Moreover, 2 shows spontaneous resolution, and it crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P2₁, leading to the occurrence of nonlinear optical activity in circular dichroism studies and second harmonic generation (SHG). At room temperature, the SH susceptibility for powder sample 2 reached 6.0 × 10^-11 esu. Ab initio calculations indicated the electric polarization vector and the crystallographic twofold screw axis pass through the aromatic ring. Magnetic studies for 1 and 2 revealed high-spin iron(II) with zero-field splitting at low temperatures. Analysis of magnetic data gave |D| = 37.45 cm^-1, |E/D| = 5.59 cm^-1, and ⟨g⟩ = 2.15 for 1, |D| = 36.78 cm^-1, |E/D| = 4.92 cm^-1, and ⟨g⟩ = 2.18 for 2, and information about the orientation of magnetic anisotropy vectors for both compounds.

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.

A spin-crossover phenomenon in a 2D heterometallic coordination polymer with [Pd(SCN)4]2- building blocks

Two new two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers, [Fe^II(L)₂{Pd^II(SCN)₄}] (L₁ = 3-(9-anthracenyl)-pyridine (1) and L₂ = 4-(9-anthracenyl)-pyridine (2)), were constructed by employing square-planar [Pd(SCN)₄]^2- building blocks. Compound 1 exhibits a complete spin-crossover (SCO) behaviour under normal atmospheric pressure, and represents the first SCO example in a 2D system containing [Pd(SCN)₄]^2- units. In contrast, compound 2 only shows paramagnetic behaviour at measured temperatures. It is clear that the fine-tuning of the monodentate ligand can modulate the ligand field and packing fashions, which sheds light on developing new SCO materials.

Creation and stabilisation of tuneable open metal sites in thiocyanato-bridged heterometallic coordination polymers to be used as heterogeneous catalysts

A series of thiocyanato-bridged heterometallic coordination polymers with a 3D reticular network have been synthesised by the reaction of [Pt^IV(SCN)₆]^2- with M^II ions to form {M^II[Pt^IV(SCN)₆]}_n and {[M^II(CH₃OH)₂][Pt^IV(SCN)₆]}_n (M^II = Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II or Cu^II) in water and methanol, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray analyses revealed the absence of open metal sites in {M^II[Pt^IV(SCN)₆]}_ns and the formation of potential open metal sites at the M^II ions of {[M^II(CH₃OH)₂][Pt^IV(SCN)₆]}_ns by the coordination of methanol. One of the two coordinating methanol molecules in {[Co^II(CH₃OH)₂][Pt^IV(SCN)₆]}_n was replaced with pyridine to stabilise the open metal sites, because the methanol molecules are too labile to maintain open metal sites in water. The heterogeneous catalysis of coordination polymers with and without open metal sites was examined for organophosphate hydrolysis and photocatalytic water oxidation to clarify the requisites for heterogeneous catalysts.

Exploiting Pressure To Induce a "Guest-Blocked" Spin Transition in a Framework Material

A new functionalized 1,2,4-triazole ligand, 4-[(E)-2-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)vinyl]-1,2,4-triazole (thiome), was prepared to assess the broad applicability of strategically producing multistep spin transitions in two-dimensional Hofmann-type materials of the type [Fe^IIPd(CN)₄(R-1,2,4-trz)₂]·nH₂O (R-1,2,4-trz = a 4-functionalized 1,2,4-triazole ligand). A variety of structural and magnetic investigations on the resultant framework material [Fe^IIPd(CN)₄(thiome)₂]·2H₂O (A·2H₂O) reveal that a high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) transition is inhibited in A·2H₂O due to a combination of guest and ligand steric bulk effects. The water molecules can be reversibly removed with retention of the porous host framework and result in the emergence of an abrupt and hysteretic one-step spin transition due to the removal of guest internal pressure. A spin transition can, furthermore, be induced in A·2H₂O (0-0.68 GPa) under hydrostatic pressure, as evidenced by variable-pressure structure and magnetic studies, resulting in a two-step spin transition at ambient temperatures at 0.68 GPa. The presence of a two-step spin crossover (SCO) in A·2H₂O under hydrostatic pressure compared to a one-step SCO in A at ambient pressure is discussed in terms of the relative ability of each phase to accommodate mixed HS/LS states according to differing lattice flexibilities.

Dinuclear Spin-Crossover Complexes Based on Tetradentate and Bridging Cyanocarbanion Ligands

Spin-crossover (SCO) Fe(II) dinuclear complexes of formula [Fe2(tmpa)2(μ2-tcpd)2]·0.8(CH3OH) (1·MeOH) and [Fe2(andmpa)2(μ2-tcpd)2]·2CH3OH (2·MeOH) (tmpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, andmpa = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)aniline, (tcpd)(2-) = 2-dicyanomethylene-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropanediide) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure determinations of the two complexes (1·MeOH and 2·MeOH) and the desolvated complex 1 (from 1·MeOH) revealed a neutral centrosymmetrical dinuclear structure in which the (tcpd)(2-) cyanocarbanion acts as a double μ2-bridging ligand between two [FeL](2+) (L = tmpa (1), andmpa (2)) units involving two free coordination sites in the cis configuration. Examination of the shortest intermolecular contacts in 1·MeOH and 1 reveals no significant hydrogen bonding between the dinuclear units, while in 2·MeOH these units are held together by significant hydrogen bonds between one of the uncoordinated nitrile groups and the anilate function, giving rise to 1D supramolecular structure. The three dinuclear complexes 1, 2·MeOH, and 2 exhibit SCO behaviors which have been evidenced by the thermal evolutions of the χmT product and by the average values of the six Fe-N distances for 1 and 2·MeOH, that reveal a gradual conversion with transition temperatures (T1/2) at ca. 352 K (1), 196 K (2), and 180 K (2·MeOH). For the solvated 1·MeOH, the sharp SCO transition observed around 365 K was induced by the desolvatation process above 330 K during the magnetic measurements.

A multifunctional magnetic material under pressure

Fe(II)(Metz)6](Fe(III)Br4)2 (Metz = 1-methyltetrazole) is one of the rare systems combining spin-crossover and long-range magnetic ordering. A joint neutron and X-ray diffraction and magnetometry study allows determining its collinear antiferromagnetic structure, and shows an increase of the Néel temperature from 2.4 K at ambient pressure, to 3.9 K at 0.95 GPa. Applied pressure also enables a full high-spin to low-spin switch at ambient temperature.

Temperature- and pressure-dependent structural study of {Fe(pmd)2[Ag(CN)2]2}n spin-crossover compound by neutron Laue diffraction

The effect of pressure (up to 0.17 GPa) on the spin-crossover compound {Fe(pmd)2[Ag(CN)2]2}n [orthorhombic isomer (II), pmd = pyrimidine] has been investigated by temperature- and pressure-dependent neutron Laue diffraction and magnetometry. The cooperative high-spin ↔ low-spin transition, centred at ca 180 K at ambient pressure, is shifted to higher temperatures as pressure is applied, showing a moderate sensitivity of the compound to pressure, since the spin transition is displaced by ca 140 K GPa(-1). The space-group symmetry (orthorhombic Pccn) remains unchanged over the pressure-temperature (P-T) range studied. The main structural consequence of the high-spin to low-spin transition is the contraction of the distorted octahedral [FeN6] chromophores, being more marked in the axial positions (occupied by the pmd units), than in the equatorial positions (occupied by four [Ag(CN)2](-) bridging ligands).

The influence of H-bonding on the ‘ambidentate’ coordination behaviour of the thiocyanate ion to Cd(ii): a combined experimental and theoretical study

The importance of H-bonding in stabilizing the unusual S-coordination of the thiocyanate ion to Cd(ii) in hetero-metallic Cu₂Cd compounds has been established by structural analyses and DFT studies.

Spin crossover iron(II) coordination polymer chains: syntheses, structures, and magnetic characterizations of [Fe(aqin)2(μ2-M(CN)4)] (M = Ni(II), Pt(II), aqin = quinolin-8-amine)

New Fe(II) coordination polymeric neutral chains of formula [Fe(aqin)2(μ2-M(CN)4)] (M = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2)) (aqin = Quinolin-8-amine) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure determinations of 1-2 reveal in both cases a one-dimensional structure in which the planar [M(CN)4](2-) (M = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2)) anion acts as a μ2-bridging ligand, and the two aqin molecules as chelating coligands. Examination of the intermolecular contacts in the two compounds reveals that the main contacts are ascribed to hydrogen bonding interactions involving the amine groups of the aqin chelating ligands and the nitrogen atoms of the two non bridging CN groups of the [M(CN)4](2-) (M = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2)) anion. The average values of the six Fe-N distances observed respectively at room temperature (293 K) and low temperature (120 K), that is, 2.142(3) and 2.035(2) Å for 1, and 2.178(3) and 1.990(2) Å for 2, and the thermal variation of the cell parameters (performed on 2) are indicative of the presence of an abrupt HS-LS spin crossover (SCO) transition in both compounds. The thermal dependence of the product of the molar magnetic susceptibility times the temperature (χmT), in cooling and warming modes, confirms the SCO behavior at about 145 and 133 K in 1 and 2, respectively, and reveals the presence of a small thermal hysteresis of about 2 K for each compound.