Coordination Complexes of a Neutral 1,2,4‐Benzotriazinyl Radical Ligand: Synthesis,Molecular and Electronic Structures,and Magnetic Properties

A series of d‐block metal complexes of the recently reported coordinating neutral radical ligand 1‐phenyl‐3‐(pyrid‐2‐yl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐benzotriazin‐4‐yl ( 1 ) was synthesized. The investigated systems contain the benzotriazinyl radical 1 coordinated to a divalent metal cation, Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, or Ni^II, with 1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonato (hfac) as the auxiliary ligand of choice. The synthesized complexes were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and electronic structure calculations. The complexes [Mn( 1 )(hfac)₂] and [Fe( 1 )(hfac)₂] displayed antiferromagnetic coupling between the unpaired electrons of the ligand and the metal cation, whereas the interaction was found to be ferromagnetic in the analogous Ni^II complex [Ni( 1 )(hfac)₂]. The magnetic properties of the complex [Co( 1 )(hfac)₂] were difficult to interpret owing to significant spin–orbit coupling inherent to octahedral high‐spin Co^II metal ion. As a whole, the reported data clearly demonstrated the favorable coordinating properties of the radical 1 , which, together with its stability and structural tunability, make it an excellent new building block for establishing more complex metal–radical architectures with interesting magnetic properties.     

Chromium(III) and indium(III) 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-semiquinolate complexes as redox mediators of hydrogen sulfide oxidation in reactions with cycloalkanes

The electrochemical oxidation of the chromium(III) and indium(III) complexes with 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-semiquinolate leading to the formation of active monocationic species is studied by cyclic voltammetry. The reactions of the latter with hydrogen sulfide generate the radical cation of H₂S, whose fragmentation affords the proton and thiyl radical. These complexes are proposed for the first time as redox mediators for the one-pot thiolation of inert cycloalkanes C₆–C₈, which decreases the activation energy of hydrogen sulfide compared to that for direct electrochemical oxidation. The major products of cycloalkane functionalization involving H₂S are thiols and organic di- and trisulfides. The yield of the synthesized compounds depends on the type of the mediator: the chromium(III) complex exhibits the highest efficiency in the electrocatalytic transformations.     

Electron Capture by the Thiyl Radical and Disulfide Bond: Ligand Effects on the Reduction Potential

The effect of non‐polar and polar ligands and of monovalent cations on the one‐electron reduction potential of the thiyl radical and the disulfide bond was evaluated. The reduction potentials E° for the CH₃S^.–n L/CH₃S^?–n L and CH₃SSCH₃–L/CH₃SSCH₃^.?–L redox couples were calculated at the B3LYP, M06‐2X and MP2 levels of theory, with n=1, 2 and L=CH₄, C₂H₄, H₂O, CH₃OH, NH₃, CH₃COOH, CH₃CONH₂, NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺. Non‐polar ligands decrease the E° value of the thiyl radical and disulfide bond, while neutral polar ligands favour electron uptake. Charged polar ligands and cations favour electron capture by the thiyl radical while disfavouring electron uptake by the disulfide bond. Thus, the same type of ligand can have a different effect on E° depending on the redox couple. Therefore, properties of an isolated ligand cannot uniquely determine E°. The ligand effects on E° are discussed in terms of the vertical electron affinity and reorganization energy, as well as molecular orbital theory. For a given redox couple, the ligand type influences the nature of the anion formed upon electron capture and the corresponding reorganization process towards the reduced geometry.     

Fine Control of the Redox Reactivity of a Nonheme Iron(III)–Peroxo Complex by Binding Redox‐Inactive Metal Ions

Redox‐inactive metal ions are one of the most important co‐factors involved in dioxygen activation and formation reactions by metalloenzymes. In this study, we have shown that the logarithm of the rate constants of electron‐transfer and C−H bond activation reactions by nonheme iron(III)–peroxo complexes binding redox‐inactive metal ions, [(TMC)Fe^III(O₂)]⁺‐M^{n +} (M^{n +}=Sc³⁺, Y³⁺, Lu³⁺, and La³⁺), increases linearly with the increase of the Lewis acidity of the redox‐inactive metal ions (ΔE ), which is determined from the g_zz values of EPR spectra of O₂^.−‐M^{n +} complexes. In contrast, the logarithm of the rate constants of the [(TMC)Fe^III(O₂)]⁺‐M^{n +} complexes in nucleophilic reactions with aldehydes decreases linearly as the ΔE value increases. Thus, the Lewis acidity of the redox‐inactive metal ions bound to the mononuclear nonheme iron(III)–peroxo complex modulates the reactivity of the [(TMC)Fe^III(O₂)]⁺‐M^{n +} complexes in electron‐transfer, electrophilic, and nucleophilic reactions.     

Electronic Structure of Thiolate‐bridged Diiron Complexes and a Single‐electron Oxidation Reaction: A Combination of Experimental and Computational Studies

Single‐electron oxidation of a diiron‐sulfur complex [Cp*Fe(μ‐bdt)FeCp*] ( 1 , Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅; bdt=benzene‐1,2‐dithiolate) to [Cp*Fe(μ‐bdt)FeCp*]⁺ ( 2 ) has been experimentally conducted. The bdt ligand with redox‐active character has been computationally proposed to be a dianion (bdt^2?) rather than previously proposed monoanion (bdt^·?) radical in 1 though it has un‐equidistant aromatic C? C bond lengths. The ground state of 1 is predicted to be two low‐spin ferrous ions (S_Fe=0) and 2 has a medium‐spin ferric ion (S_Fe=1/2) and a low‐spin ferrous center (S_Fe=0), and the oxidation of 1 to 2 is calculated to be a single‐metal‐based process. Both complexes have no significant antiferromagnetic coupling character.     

Probing the Role of π Interactions in the Reactivity of Oxygen Species: A Case of Ethylzinc Aryloxides with Different Dispositions of Aromatic Rings toward the Metal Center

Ethylzinc derivatives of ortho‐hydroxybiphenyl and 2,6‐diphenylphenol that bear different nuclearity and dispositions of aromatic rings toward the metal center were synthesized and structurally characterized in the solid state and solution. This family of well‐defined compounds was examined as a model system for the activation of dioxygen mediated by using complexes that feature lack of a redox‐active metal center. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate an essential role in the oxygenation process of intramolecular interactions that involve aromatic subunits. Additionally, novel results for the oxygenation chemistry of alkylzinc compounds, including the isolation and structural characterization of the unique octanuclear aryloxide (hydroxide) compound Zn₈(OAr)₈(OH)₆(O₂) with an encapsulated peroxide species, are presented.     

Ultra‐High Molecular Weight Alpha‐Amino Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) with High Tg through Emulsion Polymerization by Using Transition Metal Cation–Tertiary Amine Pairs as a Mono‐Centered Initiator

As some complexes of transition metal cations in high oxidation state can oxidize tertiary amines under proper conditions into aminoalkyl radicals to initiate polymerization of electron‐deficient vinylic monomers, they form mono‐centered redox‐initiation pairs for preparation of 100% alpha‐amino telechelic polymer. Radical emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) is performed by using water‐soluble amines as a reducing agent and Fe^III or Cu^II as an oxidizing agent. Tertiary amines such as 2‐(N,N‐dialkylamino)ethanol and N,N,N′,N′‐tertramethylethylenediamine exhibit a higher initiation activity. Monomer conversion can reach 80% in 8 h and 95% in 16 h, leading to PMMA with an absolute weight‐average molecular weight above 1.5 × 10⁶ g mol^?1. The alpha‐amino terminal functionality is verified by ultraviolet‐induced diarylketone‐initiated radical bock polymerization by using these PMMA chains as the macro‐sensitizer. Such a facile heterogeneous technique results in syndiotactic‐rich high‐T_g PMMA (rr > 50%, T_g = 124–127 °C). PMMA chains may be oxidized by Fe^II–O₂ complexes to initiate further radical polymerization, leading to PMMA with a long‐chain branched architecture.

     

Preparation,electrochemical behavior and variable temperature magnetic properties of transition metal complexes containing 2-phenyl-4,5-di-(2-pyridyl)imidazole

We report the synthesis of three new complexes featuring first row transition metal ions (Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, or V³⁺) and a 2-pyridyl-substituted imidazole ligand. We investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of the complexes via electronic spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and density functional theory calculations. Complexes with Fe²⁺ or V³⁺ are redox active, and we observe spin crossover from the variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data for the complex with Fe²⁺. We intend to use these complexes as precursors to bimetallic mixed-valent materials.     

Transition metal complexes of 2-Carbethoxypyridine (Ethyl picolinate)

Summary A variety of metal(II) complexes of 2-carbethoxypyridine (L) have been prepared and characterised. With metal(II) chlorides the bis complexes can be formulated [ML₂Cl₂]^o (M=Cu^II, Ni^II, Co^II, Fe^II or Mn^II). The complexes are six-coordinate with 2-carbethoxypyridine acting as a bidentate ligandvia the pyridine nitrogen and the carbonyl group of the ester. The chloro complexes are nonelectrolytes in nitroethane; magnetic susceptibility measurements, i.r. and d-d electronic spectra are reported. With metal(II) perchlorate salts the complexes can be formulated as six-coordinate [ML₂ (OH₂)₂] [ClO₄]₂ species containing ionic perchlorate. The ester exchanges of some of these complexes with a variety of primary alcohols have been investigated.     

Iron‐Promoted ortho‐ and/or ipso‐Hydroxylation of Benzoic Acids with H2O2

Regioselective hydroxylation of aromatic acids with hydrogen peroxide proceeds readily in the presence of iron(II) complexes with tetradentate aminopyridine ligands [Fe^II(BPMEN)(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) and [Fe^II(TPA)(CH₃CN)₂](OTf)₂ ( 2 ), where BPMEN=N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,2‐ethylenediamine, TPA=tris‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine. Two cis‐sites, which are occupied by labile acetonitrile molecules in 1 and 2 , are available for coordination of H₂O₂ and substituted benzoic acids. The hydroxylation of the aromatic ring occurs exclusively in the vicinity of the anchoring carboxylate functional group: ortho‐hydroxylation affords salicylates, whereas ipso‐hydroxylation with concomitant decarboxylation yields phenolates. The outcome of the substituent‐directed hydroxylation depends on the electronic properties and the position of substituents in the molecules of substrates: 3‐substituted benzoic acids are preferentially ortho‐hydroxylated, whereas 2‐ and, to a lesser extent, 4‐substituted substrates tend to undergo ipso‐hydroxylation/decarboxylation. These two pathways are not mutually exclusive and likely proceed via a common intermediate. Electron‐withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring of the carboxylic acids disfavor hydroxylation, indicating an electrophilic nature for the active oxidant. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit similar reactivity patterns, but 1 generates a more powerful oxidant than 2 . Spectroscopic and labeling studies exclude acylperoxoiron(III) and Fe^IV?O species as potential reaction intermediates, but strongly indicate the involvement of an Fe^III? OOH intermediate that undergoes intramolecular acid‐promoted heterolytic O? O bond cleavage, producing a transient iron(V) oxidant.     

Tetrakis‐phthalocyanines bearing electron‐withdrawing fluoro functionality: Synthesis,spectroscopy, and electrochemistry

In this study, 2,9,16,23‐tetrakis‐4′‐(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro)‐phenoxy‐phthalocyaninatometalfree and metal(II) complexes, (H₂PcBzF₁₆, ZnPcOBzF₁₆, CuPcOBzF₁₆, and CoPcOBzF₁₆) (Bz: Benzene) (2H, Zn, Cu, and Co), have been prepared directly from the corresponding 4′‐(2,3,5,6‐fluorophenylthio)‐phthalonitrile compounds in the presence of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) in high boiling quinoline solvent. Tetrafluoro atoms on 2,3,5,6‐position of benzene at the peripheral sites of phthalocyanines (Pcs) give rise interesting solubility to tetrakismetallophthalocyanines. Although all complexes were soluble in DCM, CHCl₃, THF, DMF, and DMSO with increasing order, complexes synthesized, particularly H₂PcBzF₁₆, CuPcOBzF₁₆, have very limited solubility in DMF and DMSO. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H NMR, UV–vis, and MALDI–TOF mass spectral data. The cyclic voltammetry and differential pulsed voltammetry of the complexes show that while H₂PcBzF₁₆, CuPcOBzF₁₆, and ZnPcOBzF₁₆ give ligand‐based reduction and oxidation processes, CoPcOBzF₁₆ gives both ligand and metal‐based redox processes, in harmony with the common metallophthalocyanine complexes. Redox processes due to both aggregated and disaggregated species were simultaneously observed during the first reduction process. The nature of the metal‐based redox processes was confirmed using spectroelectrochemical measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:262–271, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20545     

On the Ligand‐to‐Metal Charge‐Transfer Photochemistry of the Copper(II) Complexes of Quercetin and Rutin

In contrast to the UV‐photoinduced ligand photoionization of the flavonoid complexes of Fe^III, redox reactions initiated in ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer excited states were observed on irradiation of the quercetin ( 1 ) and rutin ( 2 ) complexes of Cu^II. Solutions of complexes with stoichiometries [Cu^IIL₂] (L=quercetin, rutin) and [Cu^II₂L_n] (n=1, L=quercetin; n=3, L=rutin) were flash‐irradiated at 351 nm. Transient spectra observed in these experiments showed the formation of radical ligands corresponding to the one‐electron oxidation of L and the reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I. The radical ligands remained coordinated to the Cu^I centers, and the substitution reactions replacing them by solvent occurred with lifetimes τ<350 ns. These are lifetimes shorter than the known lifetimes (τ>1 ms) of the quercetin and rutin radical's decay.     

Radical Localization in a Series of Symmetric NiII Complexes with Oxidized Salen Ligands

Square‐planar nickel(II) complexes of salen ligands, N,N′‐bis(3‐tert‐butyl‐(5R)‐salicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine), in which R=tert‐butyl ( 1 ), OMe ( 2 ), and NMe₂ ( 3 ), were prepared and the electronic structure of the one‐electron‐oxidized species [ 1 – 3 ]^+. was investigated in solution. Cyclic voltammograms of [ 1 – 3 ] showed two quasi‐reversible redox waves that were assigned to the oxidation of the phenolate moieties to phenoxyl radicals. From the difference between the first and second redox potentials, the trend of electronic delocalization 1 ^+.> 2 ^+.> 3 ^+. was obtained. The cations [ 1 – 3 ]^+. exhibited isotropic g tensors of 2.045, 2.023, and 2.005, respectively, reflecting a lower metal character of the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) for systems that involve strongly electron‐donating substituents. Pulsed‐EPR spectroscopy showed a single population of equivalent imino nitrogen atoms for 1 ^+., whereas two distinct populations were observed for 2 ^+.. The resonance Raman spectra of 2 ^+. and 3 ^+. displayed the ν_8a band of the phenoxyl radicals at 1612 cm^?1, as well as the ν_8a bands of the phenolates. In contrast, the Raman spectrum of 1 ^+. exhibited the ν_8a band at 1602 cm^?1, without any evidence of the phenolate peak. Previous work showed an intense near‐infrared (NIR) electronic transition for 1 ^+. (Δν_1/2=660 cm^?1, ε=21 700 M ^?1 cm^?1), indicating that the electron hole is fully delocalized over the ligand. The broader and moderately intense NIR transition of 2 ^+. (Δν_1/2=1250 cm^?1, ε=12 800 M ^?1 cm^?1) suggests a certain degree of ligand‐radical localization, whereas the very broad NIR transition of 3 ^+. (Δν_1/2=8630 cm^?1, ε=2550 M ^?1 cm^?1) indicates significant localization of the ligand radical on a single ring. Therefore, 1 ^+. is a Class III mixed‐valence complex, 2 ^+. is Class II/III borderline complex, and 3 ^+. is a Class II complex according to the Robin–Day classification method. By employing the Coulomb‐attenuated method (CAM‐B3LYP) we were able to predict the electron‐hole localization and NIR transitions in the series, and show that the energy match between the redox‐active ligand and the metal d orbitals is crucial for delocalization of the radical SOMO.     

(Aminocarbene)(Divinyltetramethyldisiloxane)Iron(0) Compounds: A Class of Low‐Coordinate Iron(0) Reagents

The combined use of aminocarbene and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (dvtms) as supporting ligands enables the access of unprecedented low‐coordinate iron(0) alkene compounds [L_nFe(η²:η²‐dvtms)] (L=N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC), n=1 or 2) from the reactions of FeCl₂ with alkali‐metal reducing agents, free aminocarbene ligands, and dvtms. The iron(0) species deliver their {L_nFe⁰} fragments to perform redox reactions with Ph₂SiH₂, S₈, Se, and DippN₃, furnishing novel aminocarbene‐supported iron(IV) silylene, all‐ferrous iron–sulfur/selenium cubanes, and bis(imido)iron(IV) compounds. These conversions demonstrate the potential synthetic utility of the carbene‐supported iron(0) complexes as a valuable class of low‐coordinate iron(0) reagents.     

ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF CYANO-BRIDGED DINUCLEAR IRON COMPLEXES

Abstract

A series of complexes of formula [(NC)₅Fe^II—NC—Fe^II(CN)₄L]^n?, with L = H₂O, pyridine, isonicotinamide and 4-cyanopyridine were prepared in aqueous solution by substitution of the corresponding [Fe^II(CN)₅L]^n? ions into [Fe^II(CN)₅H₂O]^3?. The mixed valent (II, III) and fully oxidized (III, III) complexes were also obtained. The (II, II) complexes were moderately stable toward dissociation into the mononuclear species, but the mixed-valent ions were properly characterized by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and electrochemistry. Distinctive intervalence (IV) bands were assigned in the NIR region, with the energy being dependent on the binding properties of L; the IV band energy also correlated with the redox potential at the [NC—Fe(CN)₄L] fragment. By application of the Hush model, a valence-trapped situation was found for the [(NC)₅Fe^III—NC—Fe^II(CN)₄L]^n? ions. The class II behavior shows, however, a value of H _ab, the electronic coupling factor, of ca. 1600cm^?1, indicating a moderate-to-strong communication between the metal centers.     

Efficient Electronic Communication of Two Ruthenium Centers through a Rigid Ditopic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Linker

A ditopic benzobis(carbene) ligand precursor was prepared that contained a chelating pyridyl moiety to ensure co‐planarity of the carbene ligand and the coordination plane of a bound octahedral metal center. Bimetallic ruthenium complexes comprising this ditopic ligand [L₄Ru‐C,N‐bbi‐C,N‐RuL₄] were obtained by a transmetalation methodology (C,N‐bbi‐C,N=benzobis(N‐pyridyl‐N′‐methyl‐imidazolylidene). The two metal centers are electronically decoupled when the ruthenium is in a pseudotetrahedral geometry imparted by a cymene spectator ligand (L₄=[(cym)Cl]). Ligand exchange of the Cl^?/cymene ligands for two bipyridine or four MeCN ligands induced a change of the coordination geometry to octahedral. As a consequence, the ruthenium centers, separated through space by more than 10 Å, become electronically coupled, which is evidenced by two distinctly different metal‐centered oxidation processes that are separated by 134 mV (L₄=[(bpy)₂]; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) and 244 mV (L₄=[(MeCN)₄]), respectively. Hush analysis of the intervalence charge‐transfer bands in the mixed‐valent species indicates substantial valence delocalization in both complexes (delocalization parameter Γ=0.41 and 0.37 in the bpy and MeCN complexes, respectively). Spectroelectrochemical measurements further indicated that the mixed‐valent Ru^II/Ru^III species and the fully oxidized Ru^III/Ru^III complexes gradually decompose when bound to MeCN ligands, whereas the bpy spectators significantly enhance the stability. These results demonstrate the efficiency of carbenes and, in particular, of the bbi ligand scaffold for mediating electron transfer and for the fabrication of molecular redox switches. Moreover, the relevance of spectator ligands is emphasized for tailoring the degree of electronic communication through the benzobis(carbene) linker.     

Low‐Spin Pseudotetrahedral Iron(I) Sites in Fe2(μ‐S) Complexes

Fe^I centers in iron–sulfide complexes have little precedent in synthetic chemistry despite a growing interest in the possible role of unusually low valent iron in metalloenzymes that feature iron–sulfur clusters. A series of three diiron [(L₃Fe)₂(μ‐S)] complexes that were isolated and characterized in the low‐valent oxidation states Fe^II? S? Fe^II, Fe^II? S? Fe^I, and Fe^I? S? Fe^I is described. This family of iron sulfides constitutes a unique redox series comprising three nearly isostructural but electronically distinct Fe₂(μ‐S) species. Combined structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic studies provided strong evidence that the pseudotetrahedral iron centers undergo a transition to low‐spin S=1/2 states upon reduction from Fe^II to Fe^I. The possibility of accessing low‐spin, pseudotetrahedral Fe^I sites compatible with S^2? as a ligand was previously unknown.     

Dioxygen Reactivity of Biomimetic Iron–Catecholate and Iron–o‐Aminophenolate Complexes of a Tris(2‐pyridylthio)methanido Ligand: Aromatic C?C Bond Cleavage of Catecholate versus o‐Iminobenzosemiquinonate Radical Formation

An iron(III)–catecholate complex [L¹Fe^III(DBC)] ( 2 ) and an iron(II)–o‐aminophenolate complex [L¹Fe^II(HAP)] ( 3 ; where L¹=tris(2‐pyridylthio)methanido anion, DBC=dianionic 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatecholate, and HAP=monoanionic 4,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐aminophenolate) have been synthesised from an iron(II)–acetonitrile complex [L¹Fe^II(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄) ( 1 ). Complex 2 reacts with dioxygen to oxidatively cleave the aromatic C? C bond of DBC giving rise to selective extradiol cleavage products. Controlled chemical or electrochemical oxidation of 2 , on the other hand, forms an iron(III)–semiquinone radical complex [L¹Fe^III(SQ)](PF₆) ( 2^ox‐PF₆ ; SQ=3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsemiquinonate). The iron(II)–o‐aminophenolate complex ( 3 ) reacts with dioxygen to afford an iron(III)–o‐iminosemiquinonato radical complex [L¹Fe^III(ISQ)](ClO₄) ( 3^ox‐ClO₄ ; ISQ=4,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐o‐iminobenzosemiquinonato radical) via an iron(III)–o‐amidophenolate intermediate species. Structural characterisations of 1 , 2 , 2^ox and 3^ox reveal the presence of a strong iron? carbon bonding interaction in all the complexes. The bond parameters of 2^ox and 3^ox clearly establish the radical nature of catecholate‐ and o‐aminophenolate‐derived ligand, respectively. The effect of iron? carbon bonding interaction on the dioxygen reactivity of biomimetic iron–catecholate and iron–o‐aminophenolate complexes is discussed.     

Photo‐ and Electronically Switchable Spin‐Crossover Iron(II) Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on a Tetrathiafulvalene Ligand

A major challenge is the development of multifunctional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), wherein magnetic and electronic functionality can be controlled simultaneously. Herein, we rationally construct two 3D MOFs by introducing the redox active ligand tetra(4‐pyridyl)tetrathiafulvalene (TTF(py)₄) and spin‐crossover Fe^II centers. The materials exhibit redox activity, in addition to thermally and photo‐induced spin crossover (SCO). A crystal‐to‐crystal transformation induced by I₂ doping has also been observed and the resulting intercalated structure determined. The conductivity could be significantly enhanced (up to 3 orders of magnitude) by modulating the electronic state of the framework via oxidative doping; SCO behavior was also modified and the photo‐magnetic behavior was switched off. This work provides a new strategy to tune the spin state and conductivity of framework materials through guest‐induced redox‐state switching.     

Electron Transfer in the Cs⊂{Mn4Fe4} Cubic Switch: A Soluble Molecular Model of the MnFe Prussian‐Blue Analogues

A mixed‐valence {Mn^II₃Mn^IIIFe^II₂Fe^III₂} cyanide‐bridged molecular cube hosting a caesium cation, Cs?{Mn₄Fe₄}, was synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic‐voltammetry measurements show that its electronic state can be switched between five different redox states, which results in a remarkable electrochromic effect. Magnetic measurements on fresh samples point to the occurrence of a spin‐state change near room temperature, which could be ascribed to a metal‐to‐metal electron transfer converting the {Fe^II?CN?Mn^III} pair into a {Fe^III?CN?Mn^II} pair. This feature was only previously observed in the polymeric MnFe Prussian‐blue analogues (PBAs). Moreover, this novel switchable molecule proved to be soluble and stable in organic solvents, paving the way for its integration into advanced materials.