Selective photoswitching of the binuclear spin crossover compound {[Fe(bt)(NCS)2]2(bpm)} into two distinct macroscopic phases

Spin-Crossover in a Dinuclear Iron(II) Complex on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite: An X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study

The spin-crossover (SCO) properties of the dinuclear complex[ { Fe ( H 2 B ( pz ) 2 ) 2 } 2 μ - ( ac(bipy) 2 ) ] $\left[\right. \left{\right. \text{Fe} \left(\left(\right. \left(\text{H}\right)_{2} \text{B} \left(\left(\right. \text{pz} \left.\right)\right)_{2} \left.\right)\right)_{2} \left(\left.\right}\right)_{2} \mu - \left(\right. \left(\text{ac(bipy)}\right)_{2} \left.\right) \left]\right.$ are studied as (sub)-monolayer and thin film deposited by an ultrahigh vacuum liquid-jet deposition technique on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. A comparison of the SCO properties of thin films and a dropcast sample indicates that the spin-switching probability of the thin films is limited due to substrate-molecule interactions. The maximum percentage of molecules in the low-spin (LS) state observed for 0.7 and 1.8 monolayers (ML) is ≈43% at a temperature of 80 K in comparison to the dropcast sample where ≈66% of the complex is in the LS state. The similar switching properties of the dropcast sample as of a bulk powder sample confirm that the SCO properties are not affected by the presence of solvent necessary for deposition. The soft-X-ray-induced excited spin-state trapping (SOXIESST) effect is pronounced in all samples, although the light-induced high-spin (HS) fraction of the dropcast and the thin-film samples on HOPG is higher as compared to the HS fraction attained by SOXIESST, which confirms the sensitivity of the complex to light.

Site Selectivity for the Spin States and Spin Crossover in Undecanuclear Heterometallic Cyanido-Bridged Clusters

Polynuclear molecular clusters offer an opportunity to design new hierarchical switchable materials with collective properties, based on variation of the chemical composition, size, shapes, and overall building blocks organization. In this study, we rationally designed and constructed an unprecedented series of cyanido-bridged nanoclusters realizing new undecanuclear topology: Fe^II[Fe^II(bzbpen)]₆[W^V(CN)₈]₂[W^IV(CN)₈]₂·18MeOH (1), Na^I[Co^II(bzbpen)]₆[W^V(CN)₈]₃[W^IV(CN)₈]·28MeOH (2), Na^I[Ni^II(bzbpen)]₆[W^V(CN)₈]₃[W^IV(CN)₈]·27MeOH (3), and Co^II[Co^II(R/S-pabh)₂]₆[W^V(CN)₈]₂[W^IV(CN)₈]₂·26MeOH [4R and 4S; bzbpen = N¹,N²-dibenzyl-N¹,N²-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine; R/S-pabh = (R/S)-N-(1-naphthyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine], of size up to 11 nm³, ca. 2.0 × 2.2 × 2.5 nm (1-3) and ca. 1.4 × 2.5 × 2.5 nm (4). 1, 2, and 4 exhibit site selectivity for the spin states and spin transition related to the structural speciation based on subtle exogenous and endogenous effects imposed on similar but distinguishable 3d metal-ion-coordination moieties. 1 exhibits a mid-temperature-range spin-crossover (SCO) behavior that is more advanced than the previously reported SCO clusters based on octacyanidometallates and an onset of SCO behavior close to room temperature. The latter feature is also present in 2 and 4, which suggests the emergence of Co^II-centered SCO not observed in previous bimetallic cyanido-bridged Co^II-W^V/IV systems. In addition, reversible switching of the SCO behavior in 1 via a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation during desolvation was also documented.

Binuclear spin-crossover [Fe(bt)(NCS)2]2(bpm) complex: A study using first principles calculations

The spin-crossover [Fe(bt)(NCS)₂]₂(bpm) complex is studied using spin-polarized density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation, the Hubbard U and the weak van der Waals interactions in conjunction with the projector augmented wave method in its molecular and periodic arrangements. It is shown that the considered complex has three magnetic configurations [high spin state (HS)-HS, HS-low spin state (LS), and LS-LS] corresponding to those observed experimentally after two transition temperatures T_c ⁽¹⁾ of 163 K and T_c ⁽²⁾ of 197 K. For the HS-HS magnetic state, we found that the two Fe centers are antiferromagnetically coupled for both molecular and periodic structures in good agreement with the experimental observations. Our results show that the computed total energy difference between the magnetic state configurations of the considered Fe₂ complex is significantly smaller compared to those reported in the literature for other mono- or binuclear compounds.

Magnetic interactions controlled by light in the family of Fe(II)-M(IV) (M = Mo, W, Nb) hybrid organic-inorganic frameworks

Three new hybrid organic-inorganic frameworks employing octacyanidometallates and 4,4'-bypiridine dioxide (4,4'-bpdo) as bridging molecules were prepared and characterized. The three-dimensional coordination frameworks {[Fe^II(μ-4,4'-bpdo)(H₂O)₂]₂[M^IV(CN)₈]·9H₂O}_n (Fe2Mo, Fe2W and Fe2Nb; M = Mo, W and Nb) are composed of cyanido-bridged chains, which are interconnected by the organic linkers. Magnetic measurements for Fe2Nb show a two-step transition to the antiferromagnetic state, which results from the cooperation of antiferromagnetic intra- and inter-chain interactions. Fe2Mo and Fe2W, on the other hand, behave as paramagnets at 2 K because of the diamagnetic character of the corresponding octacyanidometallate(IV) building units. However, after 450 nm light irradiation they show transition to the metastable high spin Mo^IV or W^IV states, respectively, with distinct ferromagnetic intrachain spin interactions, as opposed to the antiferromagnetic ones observed in the Fe2Nb framework.

Antagonist elastic interactions tuning spin crossover and LIESST behaviours in FeII trinuclear-based one-dimensional chains

A new 1-D spin SCO coordination polymer based on FeII trinuclear units covalently linked by a flexible coligand has been reported as an unusual platform and model system for experimental study on the origin of the step-like feature in 1-D systems.

An azido-bridged [FeII4] grid-like molecule showing spin crossover behaviour

The supramolecular self-assembly synthetic strategy provides a valid tool to obtain polynuclear Fe(II) complexes having effective communication between the metal centres and distinct spin crossover behaviour. Despite the great success in constructing various magnetic molecules, progress has not been made in SCO complexes based on azido bridges. In this article, the coordination-driven supramolecular assembly based on 3,6-substituted pyridazine and azide is presented to afford two Fe(II) grid-like complexes: [(L)₄FeII4(N₃)₄][BPh₄]₄·sol (1, L = 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridazine and 2, L = 3,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyridazine). The substitution of pyridinyl groups in 2 instead of pyrazolyl ones in 1 led to the only example exhibiting spin-crossover behaviour (T_1/2 = 230 K) among the azido-bridged complexes. In addition, a temperature-dependent photoluminescence study of 2 demonstrates a visible synergetic effect between the SCO event and the luminescence.

Hexagonal-Shaped Spin Crossover Nanoparticles Studied by Ising-Like Model Solved by Local Mean Field Approximation

The properties of spin crossover (SCO) nanoparticles were studied for five 2D hexagonal lattice structures of increasing sizes embedded in a matrix, thus affecting the thermal properties of the SCO region. These effects were modeled using the Ising-like model in the framework of local mean field approximation (LMFA). The systematic combined effect of the different types of couplings, consisting of (i) bulk short- and long-range interactions and (ii) edge and corner interactions at the surface mediated by the matrix environment, were investigated by using parameter values typical of SCO complexes. Gradual two and three hysteretic transition curves from the LS to HS states were obtained. The results were interpreted in terms of the competition between the structure-dependent order and disorder temperatures (TO.D.) of internal coupling origin and the ligand field-dependent equilibrium temperatures (Teq) of external origin.

Site-Selective Photoswitching of Two Distinct Magnetic Chromophores in a Propeller-Like Molecule To Achieve Four Different Magnetic States

Magnetic photoswitching is a highly important but relatively rare phenomenon for enabling optical writing/reading of the magnetic state of a molecule. In this work, an unprecedented site-selective double photoswitching is reported from the assembly of two different "photomagnetic chromophores" into a single hexanuclear molecule: namely, a spin-crossover Fe(II) center exhibiting light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) and a photochemically active octacyanometalate(IV) unit. Four different magnetization levels are accessible through the appropriate combination of violet/red light and temperature, results that highlight the potential of photomagnetic molecules as future molecular memory cells.

Heteroatom substitution effects in spin crossover dinuclear complexes

We probe the effect of heteroatom substitution on the spin crossover (SCO) properties of dinuclear materials of the type [Fe₂(NCX)₄(R-trz)₅]·S (X = S, Se; S = solvent; R-trz = (E)-N-(furan-2-ylmethylene)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (furtrz); (E)-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-4-amine (thtrz)). For the furtrz family ([Fe₂(NCX)₄(furtrz)₅]·furtrz·MeOH; X = S (furtrz-S) and X = Se (furtrz-Se)) gradual and incomplete one-step SCO transitions are observed (furtrz-S (T_1/2 = 172 K) and furtrz-Se (T_1/2 = 205 K)) and a structural evolution from [HS-HS] to [HS-LS] per dinuclear species. Contrasting this, within the thtrz family ([Fe₂(NCX)₄(thtrz)₅]·4MeOH; X = S (thtrz-S) and X = Se (thtrz-Se)) more varied SCO transitions are observed, with thtrz-S being SCO-inactive (high spin) and thtrz-Se showing a rare complete two-step SCO transition (T_1/2(1,2) = 170, 200 K) in which the Fe^II sites transition from [HS-HS] to [HS-LS] to [LS-LS] per dinuclear unit with no long range ordering of spin-states at the intermediate plateau. Detailed structure-function analyses have been conducted within this growing dinuclear family to rationalise these diverse spin-switching properties.

Spin state switching of metal complexes by visible light or hard X-rays

Different kinds of stimuli to induce spin crossover in iron compounds are covered, focusing on electromagnetic irradiation-induced spin state switching phenomena in mono- as well as multinuclear coordination compounds.

Two-step spin crossover behaviour in the chiral one-dimensional coordination polymer [Fe(HAT)(NCS)2]∞

Two-step spin crossover behaviour with large stabilisation of the intermediate state in a chiral one-dimensional coordination polymer.

Excitation-photon-energy selectivity of photoconversions in halogen-bridged Pd-chain compounds: Mott insulator to metal or charge-density-wave state

Ultrafast photoinduced transitions of a one-dimensional Mott insulator into two distinct electronic phases, metal and charge-density-wave (CDW) state, were achieved in a bromine-bridged Pd-chain compound [Pd(en)2Br](C5-Y)2H2O (en=ethylenediamine and C5-Y=dialkylsulfosuccinate), by selecting the photon energy of a femtosecond excitation pulse. For the resonant excitation of the Mott-gap transition, excitonic states are generated and converted to one-dimensional CDW domains. For the higher-energy excitation, free electron and hole carriers are produced, giving rise to a transition of the Mott insulator to a metal. Such selectivity in photoconversions by the choice of initial photoexcited states opens a new possibility for the developments of advanced optical switching and memory functions.

High-temperature photo-induced switching and pressure-induced transition in a cooperative molecular spin-crossover material

The thermal and photo-induced switching properties of the recently published molecular spin crossover complex [Fe(H4L)2](ClO4)2·H2O·2(CH3)2CO () have been investigated in detail through Raman spectroscopy. Magnetometric and single crystal X-ray diffraction kinetic studies within the hysteresis loop have proven its metastable character, which allowed establishing the shape of the true, quasi-static hysteresis loop. This is related to the proximity of the temperatures of the thermal high to low spin SCO (T1/2↓) to those of the relaxation of the thermally or photo-generated metastable states (T(TIESST) and T(LIESST), respectively). Green light irradiation within the hysteresis loop results in a complete low to high spin photo-switch. In addition, the SCO of at room temperature can be induced by applying pressure, as followed by Raman spectroscopy.

Spin state switching in iron coordination compounds

The article deals with coordination compounds of iron(II) that may exhibit thermally induced spin transition, known as spin crossover, depending on the nature of the coordinating ligand sphere. Spin transition in such compounds also occurs under pressure and irradiation with light. The spin states involved have different magnetic and optical properties suitable for their detection and characterization. Spin crossover compounds, though known for more than eight decades, have become most attractive in recent years and are extensively studied by chemists and physicists. The switching properties make such materials potential candidates for practical applications in thermal and pressure sensors as well as optical devices. The article begins with a brief description of the principle of molecular spin state switching using simple concepts of ligand field theory. Conditions to be fulfilled in order to observe spin crossover will be explained and general remarks regarding the chemical nature that is important for the occurrence of spin crossover will be made. A subsequent section describes the molecular consequences of spin crossover and the variety of physical techniques usually applied for their characterization. The effects of light irradiation (LIESST) and application of pressure are subjects of two separate sections. The major part of this account concentrates on selected spin crossover compounds of iron(II), with particular emphasis on the chemical and physical influences on the spin crossover behavior. The vast variety of compounds exhibiting this fascinating switching phenomenon encompasses mono-, oligo- and polynuclear iron(II) complexes and cages, polymeric 1D, 2D and 3D systems, nanomaterials, and polyfunctional materials that combine spin crossover with another physical or chemical property.

Pressure and temperature control of spin-switchable metal-organic coordination polymers from ab initio calculations

We explore a combination of density-functional theory with supplemented Coulomb U (DFT+U) and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon in coordination polymers. We demonstrate the applicability of the method for the case of bimetallic metal-organic framework Fe(2)[Nb(CN)(8)]·(4-pyridinealdoxime)(8)·2H(2)O [see S. Ohkoshi et al. Nat. Chem. 3, 564 (2011)]. Our study shows that this approach is capable of capturing the SCO transitions driven by pressure as well as temperature. In addition to discovering novel spin-state transitions, magnetic states involving changes in the long-range magnetic ordering pattern are achieved, thereby offering the tunability of spin states as well as the long-range order of the spins. We compare the SCO transition in the Fe-based framework with a computer designed Mn-based variant.

Light-induced spin-crossover magnet

The light-induced phase transition between the low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states of some transition-metal ions has been extensively studied in the fields of chemistry and materials science. In a crystalline extended system, magnetically ordering the HS sites of such transition-metal ions by irradiation should lead to spontaneous magnetization. Previous examples of light-induced ordering have typically occurred by means of an intermetallic charge transfer mechanism, inducing a change of valence of the metal centres. Here, we describe the long-range magnetic ordering of the extended Fe(II)(HS) sites in a metal-organic framework caused instead by a light-induced excited spin-state trapping effect. The Fe-Nb-based material behaves as a spin-crossover magnet, in which a strong superexchange interaction (magnetic coupling through non-magnetic elements) between photo-produced Fe(II)(HS) and neighbouring Nb(IV) atoms operates through CN bridges. The magnetic phase transition is observed at 20 K with a coercive field of 240 Oe.

Molecular spin crossover phenomenon: recent achievements and prospects

Recently we assisted a strong renewed interest in the fascinating field of molecular spin crossover complexes by (1) the emergence of nanosized spin crossover materials through direct synthesis of coordination nanoparticles and nanopatterned thin films as well as by (2) the use of novel sophisticated high spatial and temporal resolution experimental techniques and theoretical approaches for the study of spatiotemporal phenomena in cooperative spin crossover systems. Besides generating new fundamental knowledge on size-reduction effects and the dynamics of the spin crossover phenomenon, this research aims also at the development of practical applications such as sensor, display, information storage and nanophotonic devices. In this critical review, we discuss recent work in the field of molecule-based spin crossover materials with a special focus on these emerging issues, including chemical synthesis, physical properties and theoretical aspects as well (223 references).

State of the art and opportunities in probing photoinduced phase transitions in molecular materials by conventional and picosecond X-ray diffraction

The optical control of the macroscopic physical properties (magnetic, optical …) of a material by laser irradiation is gaining interest through the emerging field of photoinduced phase transitions. Light-induced changes of the macroscopic state of a material involves subtle coupling between the electronic and structural degrees of freedom, which are essential to stabilize the photo-excited state, different in nature from the stable state. Therefore the new experimental field of photocrystallography plays a key role. It goes far beyond simple structural analysis under laser excitation. By playing on different physical parameters and developing the techniques and analysis, one can investigate new out of equilibrium physics through light-driven cooperative dynamics and transformations in materials. This paper is reviewing different aspects of the use of photocrystallography to investigate the nature, the mechanisms and the dynamics of photoinduced phase transitions for photo-steady or long-lived states, as well as transformations driven by an ultra-short light pulse. We also give a brief overview on recent advances in time-resolved crystallography with 100 ps resolution.

Mössbauer Investigation of the Photoexcited Spin States and Crystal Structure Analysis of the Spin-Crossover Dinuclear Complex [{Fe(bt)(NCS)2}2bpym] (bt=2,2′-Bithiazoline, bpym=2,2′-Bipyrimidine)

The crystal structure of the complex [{Fe(bt)(NCS)(2)}(2)bpym] (1) (bt=2,2'-bithiazoline, bpym=2,2'-bipyrimidine) has been solved at 293, 240, 175 and 30 K. At all four temperatures the crystal remains in the P space group with a=8.7601(17), b=9.450(2), c=12.089(3) A, alpha=72.77(2), beta=79.150(19), gamma=66.392(18) degrees , V=873.1(4) Angstrom(3) (data for 293 K structure). The structure consists of centrosymmetric dinuclear units in which each iron(II) atom is coordinated by two NCS(-) ions in the cis position and two nitrogen atoms of the bridging bpym ligand, with the remaining positions occupied by the peripheral bt ligand. The iron atom is in a severely distorted octahedral FeN(6) environment. The average Fe--N bond length of 2.15(9) Angstrom indicates that compound 1 is in the high-spin state (HS-HS) at 293 K. Crystal structure determinations at 240, 175 and 30 K gave a cell comparable to that seen at 293 K, but reduced in volume. At 30 K, the average Fe--N distance is 1.958(4) Angstrom, showing that the structure is clearly low spin (LS-LS). At 175 K the average Fe--N bond length of 2.052(11) Angstrom suggests that there is an intermediate phase. Mössbauer investigations of the light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect (lambda=514 nm, 25 mW cm(-2)) in 1 (4.2 K, H(ext)=50 kOe) show that the excited spin states correspond to the HS-HS and HS-LS pairs. The dynamics of the relaxation of the photoexcited states studied at 4.2 K and H(ext)=50 kOe demonstrate that HS-HS pairs revert with time to both HS-LS and LS-LS configurations. The HS-LS photoexcited pairs relax with time back to the ground LS-LS configuration. Complex [{Fe(0.15)Zn(0.85)(bt)(NCS)(2)}(2)bpym] (2) exhibits a continuous spin transition centred around 158 K in contrast to the two-step transition observed for 1. The different spin-crossover behaviour observed for 2 is due to the decrease of cooperativity (intermolecular interactions) imposed by the matrix of Zn(II) ions. This clearly demonstrates the role of the intermolecular interactions in the stabilization of the HS-LS intermediate state in 1.

Energetics of Binuclear Spin Transition Complexes

The electronic structures of five binuclear iron(II) complexes, four of which display spin transitions between the low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) electronic states, are studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Three electronic states, corresponding to [LS-LS], [LS-HS], and [HS-HS] electronic configurations, are characterized. The nature of the ground state agrees with the experimentally observed magnetic state of complexes stabilized at low temperatures. The results of the calculations agree with the conclusion of the phenomenological model, that the enthalpy of the [LS-HS] state must be lower than the average enthalpy of the [LS-LS] and [HS-HS] states, to create conditions for a two-step spin transition. The exchange parameters between Fe(II) ions in the [HS-HS] states are evaluated. It is shown that all complexes are weakly antiferromagnetic and the synergy between two spin transition centers is mainly of elastic origin.