Control of electronic polarization via charge ordering and electron transfer: electronic ferroelectrics and electronic pyroelectrics

Polarization Switching from Valence Trapping in an Oxo-Bridged Trinuclear Iron Complex

Switching electric polarization by external stimuli constitutes a technical foundation for various applications. Here, we reported the observation of polarization-switching behavior in an oxo-bridged mixed-valence complex [Fe3O(piv)6(py)3] (piv = pivalate, py = pyridine). Detailed variable-temperature Mössbauer spectral analyses unambiguously confirm the occurrence of an electron localization-delocalization transition between two inequivalent Fe sites. Given that the compound crystallizes in a polar space group, the change in the molecular dipole moments leads to a pyroelectric effect observed during this transition, indicating thermally induced polarization switching behavior. As the complex exhibits asymmetry in the valence-active sites and antiferromagnetic interaction between them, the possibility of magnetoelectric coupling in this compound is also discussed on the basis of the recent prediction of polarization switching through modulating the degree of electron delocalization by magnetic fields in the mixed-valence systems.

Elucidation of Electronic Structures of Mixed-Valence States Induced by dσ-π Charge Delocalization in Linear-Chain and Discrete Rhodium-Dioxolene Tetrameric Complexes

We have successfully synthesized unique linear-chain and discrete mixed-valence tetrameric complexes, {[Rh(3,6-DBDiox-4,5-S2CO)(CO)2]4·hexane}∞ (4) and [Rh(3,6-DBDiox-4,5-S2CO)(CO)2]4 (5), by carefully choosing the solvent. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) confirm that 4 and 5 are in the Rh(I,II) mixed-valence state. Analyses of the metrical oxidation state (MOS) of dioxolene ligands reveal that in 4 and 5, the electron density corresponding to one electron per tetramer is transferred from Rh(I) ions to semiquinonato ligands, and the transferred charge is delocalized throughout the four dioxolene ligands. Due to their mixed-valence state, 4 and 5 are semiconductors with relatively high electrical conductivity at room temperature. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of tetrameric complex demonstrated for the first time that the dσ* orbitals of the Rh atoms and the π* orbitals of the semiquinonato ligands, which are originally highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), respectively, strongly hybridize with each other, leading to the Rh(I,II)-semiquinonato/catecholato mixed-valence state. Furthermore, time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations have also revealed that the low energy absorption band observed centered at 5700 cm-1 is attributed to a charge transfer from [dσ*(Rh)] (HOMO) or [π*(SQ)-dσ*(Rh)] (HOMO-1) to [π*(SQ)-dσ*(Rh)] (LUMO/LUMO+1). Although 4 and 5 are tetramers with nearly identical structures, their magnetic interactions are found to differ significantly depending on their crystal structures.

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.

Polar Crystals Using Molecular Chirality: Pseudosymmetric Crystallization toward Polarization Switching Materials

Polar compounds with switchable polarization properties are applicable in various devices such as ferroelectric memory and pyroelectric sensors. However, a strategy to prepare polar compounds has not been established. We report a rational synthesis of a polar CoGa crystal using chiral cth ligands (SS-cth and RR-cth, cth = 5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). Both the original homo metal Co crystal and Ga crystal exhibit a centrosymmetric isostructure, where the dipole moment of metal complexes with the SS-cth ligand and those with the RR-cth ligand are canceled out. To obtain a polar compound, the Co valence tautomeric complex with SS-cth in the homo metal Co crystal is replaced with the Ga complex with SS-cth by mixing Co valence tautomeric complexes with RR-cth and Ga complexes with SS-cth. The CoGa crystal exhibits polarization switching between the pseudononpolar state at a low temperature and the polar state at a high temperature because only Co complexes exhibit changes in electric dipole moment due to metal-to-ligand charge transfer. Following the same strategy, the polarization-switchable CoZn complex was synthesized. The CoZn crystal exhibits polarization switching between the polar state at a low temperature and the pseudononpolar state at a high temperature, which is the opposite temperature dependence to that of the CoGa crystal. These results revealed that the polar crystal can be synthesized by design, using a chiral ligand. Moreover, our method allows for the control of temperature-dependent polarization changes, which contrasts with typical ferroelectric compounds, in which the polar ferroelectric phase typically occurs at low temperatures.

Photo-induced valence tautomerism and polarization switching in mononuclear cobalt complexes with an enantiopure chiral ligand

Light-induced polarization switchable molecular materials have attracted attention for decades owing to their potential remote manipulation and ultrafast responsiveness. Here we report a valence tautomeric (VT) complex with an enantiopure chiral ligand. By a suitable choice of counter anions, a significant improvement in photoconversion has been demonstrated, leading to novel photo-responsive polarization switching materials.

Electrically Detectable Photoinduced Polarization Switching in a Molecular Prussian Blue Analogue

Light, a nondestructive and remotely controllable external stimulus, effectively triggers a variety of electron-transfer phenomena in metal complexes. One prime example includes using light in molecular cyanide-bridged [FeCo] bimetallic Prussian blue analogues, where it switches the system between the electron-transferred metastable state and the system's ground state. If this process is coupled to a ferroelectric-type phase transition, the generation and disappearance of macroscopic polarization, entirely under light control, become possible. In this research, we successfully executed a nonpolar-to-polar phase transition in a trinuclear cyanide-bridged [Fe2Co] complex crystal via directional electron transfer. Intriguingly, by exposing the crystal to the wavelength of light─785 nm─without any electric field─we can drive this ferroelectric phase transition to completely depolarize the crystal, during which a measurable electric current response can be detected. These discoveries signify an important step toward the realization of fully light-controlled ferroelectric memory devices.