A photoswitchable polar crystal that exhibits superionic conduction

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.

Light-Induced, Structural Matrix Guided Stepwise Spin-State Switching in 3d-5d Molecular Assembly

A new iron(II) molecular complex {[W(CN)8][Fe(bik*)3]2}BF4·7H2O·1.5CH3OH (1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH) was synthesized using a versatile octacyanotungstate(V) building block and N-donor bidentate ligand (bik* = bis(1-ethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)ketone) and detailed characterizations were carried out. The crystal structure of 1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH is composed of an ionic salt from one anionic [W(CN)8]3- unit, two isolated cationic [Fe(bik*)3]2+ units, and one BF4- counteranion in the asymmetric unit. Magnetic studies of 1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH display interesting two-step reversible thermo-induced spin-state switching and the partially desolvated form 1.7H2O shows a photomagnetic effect at low temperatures. Additionally, the physical properties of 1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH were compared with the monomeric unit of {[Fe(bik*)3]2}·4ReO4·H2O (2.H2O) and detailed photophysical investigations were also performed to study the effect of a structural matrix {[W(CN)8]3- and ReO4- unit} on the spin-state switching properties of the [Fe(bik*)3]2+ unit in both systems (1.7H2O·1.5CH3OH and 2.H2O).

Unique Perovskitizer N─Pb Bond Switching Induced Polar Photovoltaic Effect in Trilayered Hybrid Perovskite

Polar photovoltaic effect (PPE) has attracted great attention in regulating desired optoelectronic properties, which can be driven by order-disorder and displacive phase transitions. Bond-switching is also a feasible method to induce PPE, but such investigation is very rare. Lead-halide hybrid perovskite (LHHP) is an outstanding photodetection material; lead atoms possess rich coordination modes to provide possibilities to construct switchable bonds. Here, a unique perovskitizer N─Pb bond-switching is disclosed to induce polar photovoltage in the emerging LHHP, PA2MHy2Pb3Br10 (1, PA = n-propylamine, MHy = methylhydrazine). Interestingly, the perovskitizer MHy+ provides 2s2 lone pair while the Pb atom affords empty d orbitals, which coordinate with each other to generate a flexible N─Pb bond. Further, the introduction of N─Pb bonds results in a high distortion of the PbBr6 octahedron to form local polarity and further orientation to induce spontaneous polarization. More importantly, such a flexible N─Pb bond switching mechanism drives a notable PPE and controllable polarized photo-response, a polarization ratio up to 9.7 at the polar phase in striking contrast with the non-polar phase (1.03). The work provides the first demonstration of bond-switching to induce polar phase transition and polar photovoltage in the photoconductive hybrid perovskites for photoelectric applications.

A novel style of 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymer incorporated trigonal prismatic coordination geometry with bidentate co-ligands

A novel 2D Hofmann-type framework was prepared with a bidentate co-ligand, 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dmbpy), which forces the curvature of the layer. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the coordination polymers, MnII(dmbpy)[MVN(CN)4] (MV = Mn (1) and Cr (2)), formed a considerably corrugated 2D cyanide-bridged network with a quasi C4v symmetric building unit, [CrVN(CN)4]2-, and trigonal prismatic coordination geometry around MnII. Compound 2 demonstrated a metamagnetic-like ordering at 14.4 K, caused by the intra- and inter-layer antiferromagnetic interactions between CrV (S = 1/2) and MnII (S = 5/2), and a weak ferromagnetic behaviour at 2 K reflecting the single-ion anisotropy of CrV and structural anisotropy.

Strongly Enhanced Polarization in a Ferroelectric Crystal by Conduction-Proton Flow

Ion conductors comprising noncentrosymmetric frameworks have emerged as new functional materials. However, strongly correlated polarity functionality and ion transport have not been achieved. Herein, we report a ferroelectric proton conductor, K2MnN(CN)4·H2O (1·H2O), exhibiting the strong correlation between its polar skeleton and conductive ions that generate anomalous ferroelectricity via the proton-bias phenomenon. The application of an electric field of ±1 kV/cm (0.1 Hz) on 1·H2O at 298 K produced the ferroelectricity (polarization = 1.5 × 104 μC/cm2), which was enhanced by the ferroelectric-skeleton-trapped conductive protons. Furthermore, the strong polarity-proton transport coupling of 1·H2O induced a proton-rectification-like directional ion-conductive behavior that could be adjusted by the magnitude and direction of DC electric fields. Moreover, 1·H2O exhibited reversible polarity switching between the polar 1·H2O and its dehydrated form, 1, with a centrosymmetric structure comprising an order-disorder-type transition of the nitrido-bridged chains.

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.

Photomodulation of Proton Conductivity by Nitro-Nitroso Transformation in a Metal-Organic Framework

The design of a highly and photomodulated proton conductor is important for advanced potential applications in chemical sensors and bioionic functions. In this work, a metal-organic framework (MOF; Gd-NO2) with high proton conductivity is synthesized with a photosensitive ligand of 5-nitroisophthalic acid (BDC-NO2), and it provides remote-control photomodulated proton-conducting behavior. The proton conduction of Gd-NO2 reaches 3.66 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 98% relative humidity (RH) and 25 °C, while it decreases by ∼400 times after irradiation with a 355 nm laser. The newly generated and disappearing FT-IR characteristic peaks reveal that this photomodulated process is realized by the photoinduced transformation from BDC-NO2 to 5-nitroso-isophthalic acid (BDC-NO). According to density functional theory, the smaller electronegativity of the -NO group, the longer distance of the hydrogen bond between BDC-NO and H2O molecules, and the lower water adsorption energy of BDC-NO indicate that the irradiated sample possesses a poorer hydrophilicity and has difficulty forming rich hydrogen-bonded networks, which results in the remarkable decrease of proton conductivity.

Direct Observation of Magnetic Domain and Magnetization Reversal on Prussian Blue-Based Magnetic Films

Knowledge of the magnetic domain is indispensable for understanding the magnetostatic properties of magnets. However, to date, the magnetic domain has not yet been reported in the field of molecule-based magnets. Herein, we study the magnetic domains of molecule-based magnets. Two magnetic films of iron/chromium hexacyanidochromate FexCr1-x[Cr(CN)6]2/3·5H2O (x = 0; Film 1 and x = 0.2; Film 2) were prepared for investigation. The temperature evolution of surface magnetization was measured using magnetic force microscopy. Film 1 showed a magnetic domain below Curie temperature (TC) and its positive-magnetic polarization increased monotonously with decreasing temperature, while Film 2 showed positive magnetic polarization below TC and switches from positive to negative magnetization through a demagnetization state at 146 K. This study originally reports the temperature variation of the magnetization state at the magnetization reversal. The magnetic domains appeared as a maze pattern with an approximate domain size of one-to-several micrometers. This work shows that research on molecule-based magnets can be expanded from magnetochemistry to the magnetostatic engineering of bulk magnets, molecule-based magnetostatic engineering.

Ionic Sieving at Sub-Angstrom Precision Enabled by Metal Organic Frameworks

The demand for cesium is expanding rapidly in light of its necessity in high-tech industries. Thus, technologies that can efficiently extract cesium from the sources are critically needed. Here, the metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes created from -Cl and -NH2 functionalized MIL-53 enabled highly selective transport of cesium ions. The angstrom-scale pore windows in these MOFs conduct Cs+ ions at high throughput, 2 orders of magnitude faster than other marginally larger ions. Ascribed to size sieving effects, MIL-53-NH2 containing 6.6 Å size channels realized an exceedingly high Cs+/Li+ selectivity up to ∼315. The rapid transport of Cs+ ions relative to other ions is greatly dependent on the precision of the angstrom-scale pores. Our work highlights the enormous potential of realizing high ion selectivity with MOFs and drives the further development of these materials in a variety of advanced separations.

Molecular Design of a Metal-Nitrosyl Ferroelectric with Reversible Photoisomerization

The development of photo-responsive ferroelectrics whose polarization may be remotely controlled by optical means is of fundamental importance for basic research and technological applications. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a new metal-nitrosyl ferroelectric crystal (DMA)(PIP)[Fe(CN)₅(NO)] (1) (DMA = dimethylammonium, PIP = piperidinium) with potential phototunable polarization via a dual-organic-cation molecular design strategy. Compared to the parent non-ferroelectric (MA)₂[Fe(CN)₅(NO)] (MA = methylammonium) material with a phase transition at 207 K, the introduction of larger dual organic cations both lowers the crystal symmetry affording robust ferroelectricity and increases the energy barrier of molecular motions, endowing 1 with a large polarization of up to 7.6 μC cm^-2 and a high Curie temperature (T_c) of 316 K. Infrared spectroscopy shows that the reversible photoisomerization of the nitrosyl ligand is accomplished by light irradiation. Specifically, the ground state with the N-bound nitrosyl ligand conformation can be reversibly switched to both the metastable state I (MSI) with isonitrosyl conformation and the metastable state II (MSII) with side-on nitrosyl conformation. Quantum chemistry calculations suggest that the photoisomerization significantly changes the dipole moment of the [Fe(CN)₅(NO)]^2- anion, thus leading to three ferroelectric states with different values of macroscopic polarization. Such optical accessibility and controllability of different ferroelectric states via photoinduced nitrosyl linkage isomerization open up a new and attractive route to optically controllable macroscopic polarization.

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.

Ultraviolet photodissociation of Mg+-NO complex: Ion imaging of a reaction branching in the excited states

Ultraviolet photodissociation processes of gas phase Mg⁺-NO complex were studied by photofragment ion imaging experiments and theoretical calculations for excited electronic states. At 355 nm excitation, both Mg⁺ and NO⁺ photofragment ions were observed with positive anisotropy parameters, and theoretical calculations revealed that the two dissociation channels originate from an electronic transition from a bonding orbital consisting of Mg⁺ 3s and NO π* orbitals to an antibonding counterpart. For the NO⁺ channel, the photofragment image exhibited a high anisotropy (β = 1.53 ± 0.07), and a relatively large fraction (∼40%) of the available energy was partitioned into translational energy. These observations are rationalized by proposing a rapid dissociation process on a repulsive potential energy surface correlated to the Mg(¹S) + NO⁺(¹Σ) dissociation limit. In contrast, for the Mg⁺ channel, the angular distribution was more isotropic (β = 0.48 ± 0.03) and only ∼25% of the available energy was released into translational energy. The differences in the recoil distribution for these competing channels imply a reaction branching on the excited state surface. On the theoretical potential surface of the excited state, we found a deep well facilitating an isomerization from bent geometry in the Franck-Condon region to linear and/or T-shaped isomer. As a result, the Mg⁺ fragment was formed via the structural change followed by further relaxation to lower electronic states correlated to the Mg⁺(²S) + NO(²Π) exit channel.

Vapor-Induced Conversion of a Centrosymmetric Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Crystal into a Proton-Conducting Second-Harmonic-Generation-Active Material

Chemical responsivity in materials is essential to build systems with switchable functionalities. However, polarity-switchable materials are still rare because inducing a symmetry breaking of the crystal structure by adsorbing chemical species is difficult. In this study, we demonstrate that a molecular organic-inorganic hybrid crystal of (NEt₄)₂[MnN(CN)₄] (1) undergoes polarity switching induced by water vapor and transforms into a rare example of proton-conducting second-harmonic-generation-active material. Centrosymmetric 1 transforms into noncentrosymmetric polar 1·3H₂O and 1·MeOH by accommodating water and methanol molecules, respectively. However, only water vapor causes a spontaneous single-crystal-to-single-crystal transition. Moreover, 1·3H₂O shows proton conduction with 2.3 × 10^-6 S/cm at 298 K and a relative humidity of 80%.

Integration of Trinuclear Triangle Copper(II) Secondary Building Units in Octacyanidometallates(IV)-Based Frameworks

The design and synthesis of high-dimensional materials based on secondary building blocks (SBUs) play a pivotal role in the further development of functional molecular materials. Herein, the self-assembly of Cu(II) ions, pyrazole (Hpz), and octacyanidometallate(IV) anions in the presence of water produced two new isostructural three-dimensional systems {[Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(μ-pz)₃(H₂O)₃]₂[M(CN)₈]}·nH₂O (M = W, 1, and Mo, 2). 1 and 2 consist of trinuclear triangle copper(II) (TTC) SBUs and octacyanidometallates(IV). At room temperature, both assemblies display strong antiferromagnetic interactions within the TTC entities with an average Cu^II···Cu^II isotropic magnetic coupling constant of about -145 cm^-1. Moreover, a detailed analysis of magnetic data revealed the presence of spin frustration with antisymmetric magnetic exchange-coupling constants of around +32 and +46 cm^-1 for 1 and 2, respectively. Finally, quantum chemical calculations explained their magnetic and optical properties.

Development of Nd (III)-Based Terahertz Absorbers Revealing Temperature Dependent Near-Infrared Luminescence

Molecular vibrations in the solid-state, detectable in the terahertz (THz) region, are the subject of research to further develop THz technologies. To observe such vibrations in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and low-frequency (LF) Raman spectroscopy, two supramolecular assemblies with the formula [Nd^III (phen)₃ (NCX)₃] 0.3EtOH (X = S, 1-S; Se, 1-Se) were designed and prepared. Both compounds show several THz-TDS and LF-Raman peaks in the sub-THz range, with the lowest frequencies of 0.65 and 0.59 THz for 1-S and 1-Se, and 0.75 and 0.61 THz for 1-S and 1-Se, respectively. The peak redshift was observed due to the substitution of SCN⁻ by SeCN⁻. Additionally, temperature-dependent TDS-THz studies showed a thermal blueshift phenomenon, as the peak position shifted to 0.68 THz for 1-S and 0.62 THz for 1-Se at 10 K. Based on ab initio calculations, sub-THz vibrations were ascribed to the swaying of the three thiocyanate/selenocyanate. Moreover, both samples exhibited near-infrared (NIR) emission from Nd (III), and very good thermometric properties in the 300–150 K range, comparable to neodymium (III) oxide-based thermometers and higher than previously reported complexes. Moreover, the temperature dependence of fluorescence and THz spectroscopy analysis showed that the reduction in anharmonic thermal vibrations leads to a significant increase in the intensity and a reduction in the width of the emission and LF absorption peaks. These studies provide the basis for developing new routes to adjust the LF vibrational absorption.

Ratiometric and Colorimetric Optical Thermometers Using Emissive Dimeric and Trimeric {[Au(SCN)2 ]- }n Moieties Generated in d-f Heterometallic Assemblies

Gold complexes can generate excimers ([Au₂ ]→[Au₂ ]*) and exciplexes ([Au₃ ]→[Au₃ ]*) with light excitation. Four Gd^III and Y^III complexes were assembled with dimeric {[Au(SCN)₂ ]^- }₂ and trimeric {[Au(SCN)₂ ]^- }₃ bis(thiocyanato)gold(I) counterions. The vibrational signature associated with the Au⋅⋅⋅Au vibrational mode was probed with ultralow frequency (ULF) Raman spectroscopy as a function of temperature. Emission spectroscopy was used to explore photophysical properties. Two broad features in the high- and low-energy regions were associated with the fluorescence and phosphorescence of the gold entities, respectively. Temperature-dependent luminescence measurements showed that the emission color can be tuned from blue to green via cyan and white. Hence, these complexes can act as colorimetric thermometers. Additionally, a ratiometric thermal sensing ability was incorporated with high sensitivity up to 5 % K^-1 in the cryogenic temperature range.

Near-room-temperature dielectric switch and thermal expansion anomaly in a new hybrid crystal: (Me2NH2)[CsFe(CN)5(NO)]

A new hybrid crystal, (Me2NH2)[CsFe(CN)5(NO)], featuring a double-layered nitroprusside-based inorganic framework with cubic-like cages encapsulating organic cations, undergoes a near-room-temperature phase transition accompanying with dielectric switch and thermal expansion anomaly....

Zero area thermal expansion of honeycomb layers via double distortion relaxation in (PPh4)[Cu2(CN)3]

The zero area TE of cyanide-bridged honeycomb layers occurs by complementary structural changes in the cation and anion counterparts.

Experimental and theoretical insights into the photomagnetic effects in trinuclear and ionic Cu(ii)–Mo(iv) systems

New ionic and trinuclear copper(ii)–octacyanidomolybdate(iv) systems were developed and tested experimentally and theoretically to improve understanding of the photomagnetic effects.

Old Materials for New Functions: Recent Progress on Metal Cyanide Based Porous Materials

Cyanide is the simplest ligand with strong basicity to construct open frameworks including some of the oldest compounds reported in the history of coordination chemistry. Cyanide can form numerous cyanometallates with different transition metal ions showing diverse geometries. Rational design of robust extended networks is enabled by the strong bonding nature and high directionality of cyanide ligand. By virtue of a combination of cyanometallates and/or organic linkers, multifunctional framework materials can be targeted and readily synthesized for various applications, ranging from molecular adsorptions/separations to energy conversion and storage, and spin-crossover materials. External guest- and stimuli-responsive behaviors in cyanide-based materials are also highlighted for the development of the next-generation smart materials. In this review, an overview of the recent progress of cyanide-based multifunctional materials is presented to demonstrate the great potential of cyanide ligands in the development of modern coordination chemistry and material science.

Combined Experimental and Ab Initio Methods for Rationalization of Magneto-Luminescent Properties of YbIII Nanomagnets Embedded in Cyanido/Thiocyanidometallate-Based Crystals

The ab initio calculations were correlated with magnetic and emission characteristics to understand the modulation of properties of NIR-emissive [Yb^III(2,2'-bipyridine-1,1'-dioxide)₄]³⁺ single-molecule magnets by cyanido/thiocyanidometallate counterions, [Ag^I(CN)₂]^- (1), [Au^I(SCN)₂]^- (2), [Cd^II(CN)₄]^2-/[Cd^II₂(CN)₇]^3- (3), and [M^III(CN)₆]^3- [M^III = Co (4), Ir (5), Fe (6), Cr (7)]. Theoretical studies indicate easy-axis-type ground doublets for all Yb^III centers. They differ in the magnetic axiality; however, transversal g-tensor components are always large enough to explain the lack of zero-dc-field relaxation. The excited doublets lie more than 120 cm^-1 above the ground one for all Yb^III centers. It was confirmed by high-resolution emission spectra reproduced from the ab initio calculations that give reliable insight into energies and oscillator strengths of optical transitions. These findings indicate the dominance of Raman relaxation with the power n varying from 2.93(4) to 6.9(2) in the 4-3-5-1-2 series. This trend partially follows the magnetic axiality, being deeper correlated with the phonon modes schemes of (thio)cyanido matrices.

2D van der Waals Layered [C(NH2)3]2SO3S Exhibits Desirable UV Nonlinear-Optical Trade-Off

It remains a challenge to develop UV nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals that can achieve a desirable trade-off on UV absorption edge, second harmonic generation (SHG), and birefringence. Here we report a thiosulfate UV NLO crystal of a 2D van der Waals layered structure, [C(NH₂)₃]₂SO₃S. Remarkably, this thiosulfate realizes the desired trade-off, with a short absorption edge of 254 nm, a strong SHG response of approximately 2.8 times that of the benchmark KH₂PO₄, and a sufficient birefringence of 0.073 at the wavelength of 546 nm. In addition, it exhibits strong in-plane anisotropy of the SHG intensity. According to the first-principles calculations, the non-π-conjugated [SO₃S]^2- anion is the dominant SHG functional gene, while the π-conjugated [C(NH₂)₃]⁺ cation serves as the functional gene of birefringence. This is different from common UV NLO materials whose functionals of SHG and birefringence are the same. These findings indicate that combining different function genes may be an effective strategy to develop outstanding NLO materials with the desirable property trade-off.

Magnetic Properties and Second Harmonic Generation of Noncentrosymmetric Cyanido-Bridged Ln(III)-W(V) Assemblies

One-dimensional zigzag cyanido-bridged coordination polymers have been prepared as a result of self-assembly of lanthanide(III) ions with octacyanidotungstate(V) anions in the presence of N,N-dimethylacetamide (dma). All compounds crystallized in noncentrosymmetric space group P2₁ with a molecular formula of [Ln^III(dma)₅][W^V(CN)₈] [Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Ho (4), Er (5), Tm (6), Yb (7), Lu (8), or Y (9)]. Magnetic studies revealed weak antiferromagnetic interactions through Ln^III-NC-W^V bridges and the formation of ferrimagnetically coupled chains at very low temperatures. Moreover, temperature dependencies of magnetic susceptibilities were fitted using the crystal field parameters for Ln(III) ions, determined by the ab initio calculations, yielding magnetic coupling constants in the range of -1 to -5 cm^-1. The wide optical transparency of 1-9 has been determined using solid state absorption spectroscopy. Samples exhibited second harmonic (SH) generation properties with SH susceptibilities ranging from 4.7 × 10^-12 to 9.4 × 10^-11 esu due to the presence of nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor elements (χ_ijk) χ_zxx, χ_zyy, χ_zzz, χ_zxy, χ_yyz, χ_yzx, χ_xyz, and χ_xzx, corresponding to space group P2₁. The determined values were also compared with the results of theoretical calculations and previous reports, indicating a potential relationship between the type of lanthanide ion and the SH intensity.

Second harmonic generation on chiral cyanido-bridged FeII-NbIV spin-crossover complexes

Incorporating chiral organic ligands into cyanido-bridged FeII-NbIV assemblies synthesized chiral spin-crossover complexes, FeII2[NbIV(CN)8](L)8·6H2O (L = R-, S-, or rac-1-(3-pyridyl)ethanol: R-FeNb, S-FeNb, or rac-FeNb). Rietveld analyses based on a racemic complex of rac-FeNb indicate that the chiral complexes have a cubic crystal structure in the I213 space group with a three-dimensional cyanido-bridged FeII-NbIV coordination network. All the complexes exhibit spin crossover between the high-spin (HS) and the low-spin (LS) FeII states without thermal hysteresis. Chiral complexes of R-FeNb and S-FeNb show second harmonic generation (SHG) due to their non-centrosymmetric structure. The I213 space group provides second-order susceptibility tensor elements of χxyz, χyzx, and χzxy, which contribute to SHG. The temperature-dependent second harmonic light intensity change is due to spin crossover between FeIIHS and FeIILS.

A Rare 2D Framework Cu(atz)2 with Ferrimagnetic and High Proton Conductivity

Materials combining proton conductivity and magnetism have attracted great attention in recent years due to their intriguing application in sensors and fuel cells. Herein a two-dimensional metal-organic framework, [Cu(atz)₂ (H₂ O)₂ ]⋅H₂ O (1) (Hatz=5-aminotetrazole), has been obtained in a green synthesis method. The single-crystal structure revealed that the atz^- ligands as linkers coordinate with copper ions to sql networks, between which water molecules are immobilized through hydrogen bonds. The resulting complex 1 exhibits a high proton conductivity of 1.11×10^-4 and 6.19×10^-4  S cm^-1 at room temperature and 333 K, respectively, under 98% RH with an activation energy of 0.56 eV. Upon dehydration, the proton conductivity of 1_dg drops by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, the magnetic behavior changes from long-range ferrimagnetic ordering of 1 to canted antiferromagnetic behaviour of 1_dg.

Theoretical investigation of tetrahedral distortion of four-coordinate iron(II) centres in FePd(CN)4

The tetrahedral distortion of iron(ii) centres in the cyanide-bridged framework FePd(CN)4 was recently demonstrated experimentally. Here, we theoretically confirmed the electronically driven tetrahedral distortion of iron(ii) by comparing the density of states and total energies of FePd(CN)4 (d6) and ZnPd(CN)4 (d10). The calculation results suggested that a Jahn-Teller-like effect is caused on the tetrahedral geometry by the electronic effect of unequally occupied non-bonding 3d orbitals in the corresponding structure.

Photoswitchable Nonlinear-Optical Crystal Based on a Dysprosium-Iron Nitrosyl Metal Assembly

Nitrosyl metal complexes (M-NO), in which nitrosyl ligands are coordinated to transition-metal ions, have been studied from the viewpoints of physiological activity, catalytic activity, and photosensitivity. The structural flexibility and electric polarization of the nitrosyl ligand are attractive characteristics. Herein we show a photoswitchable nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystal based on a dysprosium-iron nitrosyl assembly. This crystal is composed of a one-dimensional chain structure in the polar Pna2₁ space group. Because of spontaneous electric polarization, it exhibits a NLO effect of second harmonic generation (SHG). The SHG signal reversibly changes by alternate irradiation with 473 and 804 nm laser lights. The observed photoreversible switching effect on SHG is caused by photoinduced linkage isomerization of the metal nitrosyl sites, i.e., M-N⁺═O ↔ M-O═N⁺. Such an optically switchable NLO crystal should be useful for optical devices such as optical filters and optical shutters as well as probes in SHG microscopy.

Diverse physical functionalities of rare-earth hexacyanidometallate frameworks and their molecular analogues

The combination of rare-earth metal complexes and hexacyanidometallates of transition metals is a fruitful pathway for achieving functional materials exhibiting a wide scope of mechanical, magnetic, optical, and electrochemical properties.

Extremely low-frequency phonon material and its temperature- and photo-induced switching effects

Atomic vibrations due to stretching or bending modes cause optical phonon modes in the solid phase. These optical phonon modes typically lie in the frequency range of 102 to 104 cm-1. How much can the frequency of optical phonon modes be lowered? Herein we show an extremely low-frequency optical phonon mode of 19 cm-1 (0.58 THz) in a Rb-intercalated two-dimensional cyanide-bridged Co-W bimetal assembly. This ultralow frequency is attributed to a millefeuille-like structure where Rb ions are very softly sandwiched between the two-dimensional metal-organic framework, and the Rb ions slowly vibrate between the layers. Furthermore, we demonstrate temperature-induced and photo-induced switching of this low-frequency phonon mode. Such an external-stimulation-controllable sub-terahertz (sub-THz) phonon crystal, which has not been reported before, should be useful in devices and absorbers for high-speed wireless communications such as beyond 5G or THz communication systems.

Semiconducting Supramolecular Organic Frameworks Assembled from a Near-Infrared Fluorescent Macrocyclic Probe and Fullerenes

We report here a new extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF)-porphyrin scaffold, 2, that acts as a ball-and-socket receptor for C₆₀ and C₇₀. Supramolecular interactions between 2 and these fullerenes serve to stabilize 3D supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) in the solid state formally comprising peapod-like linear assemblies. The SOFs prepared via self-assembly in this way act as "tunable functional materials", wherein the complementary geometry of the components and the choice of fullerene play crucial roles in defining the conductance properties. The highest electrical conductivity (σ = 1.3 × 10^-8 S cm^-1 at 298 K) was observed in the case of the C₇₀-based SOF. In contrast, low conductivity was seen for the SOF based on pristine 2 (σ = 5.9 × 10^-11 S cm^-1 at 298 K). The conductivity seen for the C₇₀-based SOF approaches that seen for other TTF- and fullerene-based supramolecular materials despite the fact that the present systems are metal-free and constructed entirely from neutral building blocks. Transient absorption spectroscopic measurements corroborated the formation of charge-transfer states (i.e., 2^δ+/C₆₀^δ- and 2^δ+/C₇₀^δ-, respectively) rather than fully charge separated states (i.e., 2^•+/C₆₀^•- and 2^•+/C₇₀^•-, respectively) both in solution (toluene and benzonitrile) and in the solid state at 298 K. Such findings are considered consistent with an ability to transfer charges effectively over long distances within the present SOFs, rather than, for example, the formation of energetically trapped ionic species.

Reversible control of ionic conductivity and viscoelasticity of organometallic ionic liquids by application of light and heat

Ruthenium-containing ionic liquids were reversibly converted to amorphous coordination polymers or oligomeric liquids by the alternate application of ultraviolet light or heat, thus enabling control of their ionic conductivity and viscoelasticity.