105 K Wide Room Temperature Spin Transition Memory Due to a Supramolecular Latch Mechanism

Two-step spin transition around room temperature in a FeIII complex

Spin-crossover (SCO) at room temperature is a pivotal goal within the field of molecular magnetism. Herein, we attempt to assemble FeIII SCO complexes using a substituted Hqsal ligand, H2L (N-(8-quinolyl)-2,3-dihydroxybenzaldimine). Two complexes [Fe(HL)2]·X·2MeCN (X = BF4- for 1 and X = ClO4- for 2) were obtained and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that the solvent and counteranion contact with the main structure through hydrogen bonding that significantly influences the SCO properties. Magnetic study reveals that both complexes show a one-step reversible spin transition below room temperature with a hysteresis loop width of 10 K for complex 1 and 4 K for complex 2. After removing the solvents, two-step SCO with a hysteresis loop width of 32 and 62 K is observed around room temperature for complex 1, while one-step SCO is found in complex 2. Magneto-structural study reveals that the differences in the SCO properties are related to the hydrogen bonding and solvent effects, which facilitates the spin transition.

Crystal structure of bis-{5-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-3-[6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ido}nickel(II) methanol disolvate

The unit cell of the title compound, [Ni(C16H10ClN6)2]·2CH3OH, consists of a neutral complex and two methanol mol-ecules. In the complex, the two tridentate 2-(3-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligands coordinate to the central NiII ion through the N atoms of the pyrazole, pyridine and triazole groups, forming a pseudo-octa-hedral coordination sphere. Neighbouring tapered mol-ecules are linked through weak C-H(pz)⋯π(ph) inter-actions into monoperiodic chains, which are further linked through weak C-H⋯N/C inter-actions into diperiodic layers. The inter-molecular contacts were qu-anti-fied using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, revealing the relative contributions of the contacts to the crystal packing to be H⋯H 32.8%, C⋯H/H⋯C 27.5%, N⋯H/H⋯N 15.1%, and Cl⋯H/H⋯Cl 14.0%. The average Ni-N bond distance is 2.095 Å. Energy framework analysis at the HF/3-21 G theory level was performed to qu-antify the inter-action energies in the crystal structure.

Two 2D spin-crossover coordination polymers constructed by [Pd(SCN)4]2- building blocks

Two new two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers, [FeII(L)2{PdII(SCN)4}] (L1 = 2-methoxypyrazine, 1; and L2 = (E)-3-(phenyldiazenyl)pyridine, 2), were successfully constructed by using square-planar [Pd(SCN)4]2- building blocks. Complex 1 exhibits complete and one-step spin-crossover (SCO) behavior, while 2 exhibits incomplete and two-step SCO behavior. Further structural insight into this synergy reveals that the flat/flexing [Fe{Pd(SCN)4}]∞ sheets in 1 and 2 are stabilized by interlayered/intralayered supramolecular interactions.

Four-step electron transfer coupled spin transition in a cyano-bridged [Fe2Co2] square complex

The design of molecular functional materials with multi-step magnetic transitions has attracted considerable attention. However, the development of such materials is still infrequent and challenging. Here, a cyano-bridged square Prussian blue complex that exhibits a thermally induced four-step electron transfer coupled spin transition (ETCST) is reported. The magnetic and spectroscopic analyses confirm this multi-step transition. Variable-temperature infrared spectrum suggested the electronic structures in each phase and a four-step transition model is proposed.

Thermal and Light-Induced Spin Transitions in 3D Hofmann-type Frameworks Built on Nonlinear 3-Substituted Pyridine and Pyrimidine Pillaring Ligands

Integration of spin crossover (SCO) properties in 3D frameworks made up of cyano-bimetallic layers connected through pillaring organic ligands, the so-called Hofmann-type coordination polymers (HCPs)- represents an important source of multifunctional advanced materials. Typically, these 3D structures are constituted by 4-substituted pyridine-based linear pillars which afford HCPs with regular pcu topology. Here, we have investigated the suitability of the 3-substituted pyridine and pyrimidine bis-monodentate ligands 2,5-di(pyridin-3-yl)aniline (3-dpyan) and 2,5-di(pyrimidin-5-yl)aniline (bpmdan) as alternative building blocks to explore new structural topologies and functionalities. In this context, we have prepared the compounds Fe(3-dpyan)[Ag(CN)2]2·2MeOH (1Ag·2MeOH), Fe(3-dpyan)[Ag(CN)2]2···0.35NO2Bz·MeOH (1Ag·0.35NO2Bz·MeOH), Fe(3-dpyan)[Au(CN)2]2·NO2Bz (1Au·NO2Bz), and Fe(bpmdan)[Ag(CN)2]2·CH3Bz (2Ag·CH3Bz) (MeOH = methanol, NO2Bz = nitrobenzene, CH3Bz = toluene). Our structural studies have revealed that 1Ag·2MeOH and 1Ag·0.35NO2Bz·MeOH exhibit isomorphous doubly interpenetrated 3D structures strongly differing from the unusual noninterpenetrated ones exhibited by 1Au·NO2Bz and 2Ag·CH3Bz. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements have shown that all the reported compounds exhibit thermal-induced SCO properties, and moreover, three of them display Light Induced Excited Spin State Trapping at low temperatures (LIESST effect). The studied compounds show a wide diversity of SCO behaviors, ranging from abrupt complete one-step SCO centered at 253 K (1Au·NO2Bz) to gradual and incomplete multistepped SCO centered at 120 K (1Ag·0.35NO2Bz·MeOH). This assorted SCO properties are discussed and correlated to the acquired chemical and structural information.

Effects of mono- or di-fluoro-substitution on spin crossover behavior in a pair of Schiff base-like FeII-coordination polymers

Spin crossover (SCO) has long been a hot topic in the field of molecular magnetism owing to its unique bistability character. Rational control of thermal hysteresis and transition temperature (T1/2) is crucial for their practical applications, which rely on precise manipulation of the substituents of SCO coordinating ligands and molecular packing interactions. In this study, we designed two different bridging ligands (2-FDPB: 4,4'-(2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene)dipyridine; 2,3-FDPB: 4,4'-(2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene)dipyridine) featuring one and two fluoro substitution on the central benzene ring and applied a Schiff base-like equatorial tetradentate ligand {diethyl(E,E)-2,2'-[4,5-difluoro-1,2-phenyl-bis(iminomethylidyne)]bis(3-oxobutanoate)-(2-)-N,N',O3,O3'} (H2L) to coordinate with the FeII ion. Two FeII-coordination chain polymers [FeII(L)(2,3-FDPB)]·0.25CH2Cl2 (1) and [FeII(L)(2-FDPB)]·0.5CH3OH (2) were obtained. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/n space group with only one FeII center, while 2 crystallizes in the triclinic P1̄ space group with two independent FeII centers. Unlike the identical 2D layer stacking in 1, 2 exhibited alternating stacking of the extending 2D layers and meshed chains. Magnetic measurements revealed the typical thermally induced spin crossover behavior (SCO): 1 exhibited a 41 K-wide thermal hysteresis with transition temperatures of T1/2↑ = 245 K and T1/2↓ = 204 K, while 2 showed a higher transition temperature (T1/2 = 330 K) with no thermal hysteresis. Magneto-structural correlation studies suggest that the electron-withdrawing effect present in the fluoro substituents does not have a significant impact on the SCO behaviors. Despite the fluoro substituents having a similar atomic radius of hydrogen atoms, variations in the number of these substituents can alter the crystallization behavior of these complexes, which in turn affects the solvents, molecular stacking patterns, and intermolecular interactions, ultimately influencing the SCO behaviors.

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 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.

Observation of TLIESST above Liquid Nitrogen Temperature and Disclosure of Hidden Hysteresis in Multiresponsive Hofmann-type Coordination Polymers

Photoresponsive spin-crossover (SCO) molecules are an important class of bistable magnetic molecules with intriguing potential in device applications. The light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) and the combined application of light and temperature can provide access to the metastable region of the SCO profile. The primary obstacle in utilizing light stimuli is the manifestation of light-induced trappings at extremely low temperatures. Herein, we report two novel multiresponsive 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymers exhibiting light-induced excited spin state trapping above liquid nitrogen temperature (TLIESST = 82 and 81 K). Stimulating the samples in conjugation with light and temperature successfully unveils hysteresis, which is otherwise concealed. Apart from light and temperature, we found that the SCO phenomenon is also responsive to external hydrostatic pressure and exhibits modulation of the hysteresis width and transition temperature shifts with changes in pressure.

Above room temperature spin crossover in mononuclear iron(II) complexes featuring pyridyl-benzimidazole bidentate ligands adorned with aliphatic chains

Two bidentate ligands (L1 = 1-pentyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole and L2 = 1-heptyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole) were employed for the synthesis of five mononuclear Fe(II) coordination compounds 1-5 containing perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate and triflate counterions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the expected molecular structures of all the reported compounds, revealing a moderately distorted octahedral geometry of {FeN6} coordination chromophores. All five compounds exhibit thermal spin crossover with T1/2 temperatures allocated above 400 K. The theoretical calculations supported the experimental magnetic investigation and helped to explain the electronic structures of the reported complexes with respect to the occurrence of thermal spin state switching. In addition, compound 4 was employed for the preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett films and fabrication of molecular films using the method of spontaneous evaporation of the subphase. While the formation of Langmuir-Blodgett films was unsuccessful due to the instability of the compound at the water/air interface, the latter technique allowed the formation of molecular films of 4 with well-defined thickness and homogeneity.

Lattice solvent- and substituent-dependent spin-crossover in isomeric iron(II) complexes

Spin-state switching in iron(II) complexes composed of ligands featuring moderate ligand-field strength-for example, 2,6-bi(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (BPP)-is dependent on many factors. Herein, we show that spin-state switching in isomeric iron(II) complexes composed of BPP-based ligands-ethyl 2,6-bis(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)isonicotinate (BPP-COOEt, L1) and (2,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-4-yl)methylacetate (BPP-CH2OCOMe, L2)-is dependent on the nature of the substituent at the BPP skeleton. Bi-stable spin-state switching-with a thermal hysteresis width (ΔT1/2) of 44 K and switching temperature (T1/2) = 298 K in the first cycle-is observed for complex 1·CH3CN composed of L1 and BF4- counter anions. Conversely, the solvent-free isomeric counterpart of 1·CH3CN-complex 2a, composed of L2 and BF4- counter anions-was trapped in the high-spin (HS) state. For one of the polymorphs of complex 2b·CH3CN-2b·CH3CN-Y, Y denotes yellow colour of the crystals-composed of L2 and ClO4- counter anions, a gradual and non-hysteretic SCO is observed with T1/2 = 234 K. Complexes 1·CH3CN and 2b·CH3CN-Y also underwent light-induced spin-state switching at 5 K due to the light-induced excited spin-state trapping (LIESST) effect. Structures of the low-spin (LS) and HS forms of complex 1·CH3CN revealed that spin-state switching goes hand-in-hand with pronounced distortion of the trans-N{pyridyl}-Fe-N{pyridyl} angle (ϕ), whereas such distortion is not observed for 2b·CH3CN-Y. This observation points that distortion is one of the factors making the spin-state switching of 1·CH3CN hysteretic in the solid state. The observation of bi-stable spin-state switching with T1/2 centred at room temperature for 1·CH3CN indicates that technologically relevant spin-state switching profiles based on mononuclear iron(II) complexes can be obtained.

Optical Phenomena in Molecule-Based Magnetic Materials

Since the last century, we have witnessed the development of molecular magnetism which deals with magnetic materials based on molecular species, i.e., organic radicals and metal complexes. Among them, the broadest attention was devoted to molecule-based ferro-/ferrimagnets, spin transition materials, including those exploring electron transfer, molecular nanomagnets, such as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), molecular qubits, and stimuli-responsive magnetic materials. Their physical properties open the application horizons in sensors, data storage, spintronics, and quantum computation. It was found that various optical phenomena, such as thermochromism, photoswitching of magnetic and optical characteristics, luminescence, nonlinear optical and chiroptical effects, as well as optical responsivity to external stimuli, can be implemented into molecule-based magnetic materials. Moreover, the fruitful interactions of these optical effects with magnetism in molecule-based materials can provide new physical cross-effects and multifunctionality, enriching the applications in optical, electronic, and magnetic devices. This Review aims to show the scope of optical phenomena generated in molecule-based magnetic materials, including the recent advances in such areas as high-temperature photomagnetism, optical thermometry utilizing SMMs, optical addressability of molecular qubits, magneto-chiral dichroism, and opto-magneto-electric multifunctionality. These findings are discussed in the context of the types of optical phenomena accessible for various classes of molecule-based magnetic materials.

Rotational order-disorder and spin crossover behaviour in a neutral iron(II) complex based on asymmetrically substituted large planar ionogenic ligand

Octahedrally coordinated spin crossover (SCO) FeII complexes represent an important class of switchable molecular materials. This study presents the synthesis and characterisation of a novel complex, [FeII(ppt-2Fph)2]0·2MeOH, where ppt-2Fph is a new asymmetric ionogenic tridentate planar ligand 2-(5-(2-fluorophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine. The complex exhibits a hysteretic thermally induced SCO transition at 285 K on cooling and at 293 K on heating, as well as light induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) at lower temperatures with a relaxation T(LIESST) temperature of 73 K. Single crystal analysis in both spin states shows that the compound undergoes an unusual partial (25%) reversible order-disorder of the asymmetrically substituted phenyl group coupled to the thermal SCO. The highly cooperative SCO transition, analysed by structural energy framework analysis at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) theory level, revealed the co-existence of stabilising and destabilising energy variations in the lattice. The observed antagonism of intermolecular interactions and synchronous rotational disorder, which contributes to the overall entropy change, is suggested to be at the origin of the cooperative SCO transition.

Stimuli-responsive magnetic materials: impact of spin and electronic modulation

Addressing molecular bistability as a function of external stimuli, especially in spin-crossover (SCO) and metal-to-metal electron transfer (MMET) systems, has seen a surge of interest in the field of molecule-based magnetic materials due to their enormous potential in various technological applications such as molecular spintronics, memory and electronic devices, switches, sensors, and many more. The fine-tuning of molecular components allow the design and synthesis of materials with tailored properties for these vast applications. In this Feature Article, we discuss a part of our research work into this broad topic, pertaining to the recent discoveries in the field of switchable molecular magnetic materials based on SCO and MMET systems, along with some historical background of the area and related accomplishments made in recent years.

Crystal structure of bis-{3-(3,4-di-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-5-[6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,4-triazol-3-ato}iron(II)-methanol-chloro-form (1/2/2)

The unit cell of the title compound, [Fe(C18H15N6O2)2]·2CH3OH·2CHCl3, consists of a charge-neutral complex mol-ecule, two methanol and two chloro-form mol-ecules. In the complex, the two tridentate 2-(5-(3,4-di-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-6-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine ligands coordinate to the central FeII ion through the N atoms of the pyrazole, pyridine and triazole groups, forming a pseudo-octa-hedral coordination sphere. Neighbouring tapered mol-ecules are linked through weak C-H(pz)⋯π(ph) inter-actions into one-dimensional chains, which are joined into two-dimensional layers through weak C-H⋯N/C/O inter-actions. Furthermore, the layers stack in a three-dimensional network linked by weak inter-layer C-H⋯π inter-actions of the meth-oxy and phenyl groups. The inter-molecular contacts were qu-anti-fied using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, revealing the relative contributions of the contacts to the crystal packing to be H⋯H 32.0%, H⋯C/C⋯H 26.3%, H⋯N/N⋯H 13.8%, and H⋯O/O⋯H 7.5%. The average Fe-N bond distance is 2.185 Å, indicating the high-spin state of the FeII ion. Energy framework analysis at the HF/3-21 G theory level was performed to qu-antify the inter-action energies in the crystal structure.

Iron(II) Mediated Supramolecular Architectures with Schiff Bases and Their Spin-Crossover Properties

Supramolecular architectures, which are formed through the combination of inorganic metal cations and organic ligands by self-assembly, are one of the techniques in modern chemical science. This kind of multi-nuclear system in various dimensionalities can be implemented in various applications such as sensing, storage/cargo, display and molecular switching. Iron(II) mediated spin-crossover (SCO) supramolecular architectures with Schiff bases have attracted the attention of many investigators due to their structural novelty as well as their potential application possibilities. In this paper, we review a number of supramolecular SCO architectures of iron(II) with Schiff base ligands exhibiting varying geometrical possibilities. The structural and SCO behavior of these complexes are also discussed in detail.

Crystal structure of bis-{3-(3-bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-[6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,4-triazol-3-ato}-iron(II) methano-l disolvate

The unit cell of the title compound, [FeII(C17H12BrN6O)2]·2MeOH, consists of a charge-neutral complex mol-ecule and two independent mol-ecules of methanol. In the complex mol-ecule, the two tridentate ligand mol-ecules 2-[5-(3-bromo-4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine coordinate to the FeII ion through the N atoms of the pyrazole, pyridine and triazole groups, forming a pseudo-octa-hedral coordination sphere around the central ion. In the crystal, neighbouring asymmetric mol-ecules are linked through weak C-H(pz)⋯π(ph) inter-actions into chains, which are then linked into layers by weak C-H⋯N/C inter-actions. Finally, the layers stack into a three-dimensional network linked by weak inter-layer C-H⋯π inter-actions between the meth-oxy groups and the phenyl rings. The inter-molecular contacts were qu-anti-fied using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, revealing the relative contributions of the contacts to the crystal packing to be H⋯H 34.2%, H⋯C/C⋯H 25.2%, H⋯Br/Br⋯H 13.2%, H⋯N/N⋯H 12.2% and H⋯O/O⋯H 4.0%. The average Fe-N bond distance is 1.949 Å, indicating the low-spin state of the FeII ion. Energy framework analysis at the HF/3-21 G theory level was performed to qu-antify the inter-action energies in the crystal structure.

Crystal structure of bis-{3-(3,4-di-methyl-phen-yl)-5-[6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-ido}iron(II) methanol disolvate

As a result of the high symmetry of the Aea2 structure, the asymmetric unit of the title compound, [FeII(C18H15N6)2]·2MeOH, consists of half of a charge-neutral complex mol-ecule and a discrete methanol mol-ecule. The planar anionic tridentate ligand 2-[5-(3,4-di-methyl-phen-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ato]-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine coordinates the FeII ion meridionally through the N atoms of the pyrazole, pyridine and triazole groups, forming a pseudo-octa-hedral coordination sphere of the central ion. The average Fe-N bond distance is 1.955 Å, indicating a low-spin state of the FeII ion. Neighbouring cone-shaped mol-ecules, nested into each other, are linked through double weak C-H(pz)⋯π(ph') inter-actions into mono-periodic columns, which are further linked through weak C-H⋯N'/C' inter-actions into di-periodic layers. No inter-actions shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii of the neighbouring layers are observed. Energy framework analysis at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) theory level, performed to qu-antify the inter-molecular inter-action energies, reproduces the weak inter-layer inter-actions in contrast to the strong inter-action within the layers. Inter-molecular contacts were qu-anti-fied using Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots, showing the relative contributions of the contacts to the crystal packing to be H⋯H 48.5%, H⋯C/C⋯H 28.9%, H⋯N/N⋯H 16.2% and C⋯C 2.4%.