Phonon coupled cooperative low-spin 1A1high-spin 5T2 transition in [Fe(phen)2(NCS)2] and [Fe(phen)2(NCSe)2] crystals

Heat capacities of Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂] and Fe(phen)₂(NCSe)₂] were measured between 13⁵ and 375 K. A heat capacity anomaly due to the spin-transition from low-spin ¹A₁ to high-spin π₂ electronic ground state was found at 176·29 K for the SCN-compound and at 231·26 K for the SeCN-compound, respectively. Enthalpy and entropy of transition were determined to be ΔH = 8·60 ± 0·14 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS = 48·78 ± 0·71 J K^?1 mol^?1 for the SCN-compound and ΔH = 11·60 ± 0·44 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS = 51·22 ± 2·33 J K^?1 mol^?1 for the SeCN-compound. To account for much larger value of ΔS compared with the magnetic contribution, we suggest that there is significant coupling between electronic state and phonon system. We also present a phenomenological theory based on heterophase fluctuation. Gross aspects of magnetic, spectroscopic, and thermal behaviors were satisfactorily accounted for by this model. To examine closely the transition process, infrared spectra were recorded as a function of temperature in the range 4000 ? 30 cm^?1. The spectra revealed clearly the coexistence of the ¹A₁, and the ⁵T₂ ground states around T_c.