Thermal and Light-Induced Spin Transition in the High- and Low-Temperature Structure of [Fe(0.35)Ni(0.65)(mtz)(6)](ClO(4))(2)

The thermal and light induced spin transition in [Fe(0.35)Ni(0.65)(mtz)(6)](ClO(4))(2) (mtz = 1-methyl-1H-tetrazole) was studied by (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In addition to the spin transition of the iron(II) complexes the compound undergoes a structural phase transition. The high-temperature structure could be determined by X-ray crystallography of the isomorphous [Fe(0.25)Ni(0.75)(mtz)(6)](ClO(4))(2) complex at room temperature. The X-ray structural analysis shows this complex to be rhombohedric, space group R&thremacr;, with a = 10.865(2) ? and c = 23.65(1) ? with three molecules in the unit cell. The transition to the low-temperature structure occurs at approximately 60 K without changing the spin state of the molecules. By subsequent heating of the complex the high-temperature structure is reached again between ca. 170 and 200 K. The spin transition behavior is strongly influenced by the structural changes, and the observed spin transition curves are completely different for the high- and low-temperature phases. In the high-temperature structure a complete and gradual spin transition between 220 and 120 K (T(1/2)(gamma(HS) = 0.5) = 185 K) is detected; the high-spin (HS) state is represented by one HS doublet in the M?ssbauer spectra. In the low-temperature structure a two-step transition curve is detected in the heating mode. About 36% of the molecules show a LS (low-spin) --> HS transition between ca 50 and 75 K. Then the HS fraction stays constant up to 150 K. A further increase in the high-spin fraction is observed at temperatures above 150 K. In this structural phase the HS state is represented by two different HS doublets in the M?ssbauer spectra. The formation of metastable HS states by making use of the LIESST effect is only possible in the low-temperature structure. By excitation of the LS molecules with green light, two different HS states are populated which show very different relaxation behavior. One HS state shows a relaxation to the LS state even at 10 K; the other HS state shows a very slow HS --> LS relaxation at 60 K (within days), leading to the HS fraction corresponding to the thermal equilibrium value.     

Two-dimensional iron(II) spin crossover complex constructed of bifurcated NH...O- hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions: [FeII(HLH,Me)2](ClO4)2.1.5MeCN (HLH,Me = imidazol-4-yl-methylidene-8-amino-2-methylquinoline)

A 2D iron(II) spin crossover complex, [FeII(HLH,Me)2](ClO4)2.1.5MeCN (1), was synthesized, where HLH,Me = imidazol-4-yl-methylidene-8-amino-2-methylquinoline. 1 showed a gradual spin transition between the HS (S = 2) and LS (S = 0) states from 180 to 325 K within the first warming run from 5 to 350 K, in which 1.5MeCN is removed, and there was an abrupt spin transition at T1/2 downward arrow = 174 K in the first cooling run from 350 to 5 K. Following the first cycle, the compound showed an abrupt spin transition at T1/2 upward arrow = 185 K and T1/2 downward arrow = 174 K with 11 K wide hysteresis in the second cycle. The crystal structures of 1 were determined at 296 (an intermediate between the HS and LS states) and 150 K (LS state). The structure consists of a 2D extended structure constructed of both the bifurcated NH...O- hydrogen bonds between two ClO4- ions and two neighboring imidazole NH groups of the [FeII(HLH,Me)2]2+ cations and the pi-pi interactions between the two quinolyl rings of the two adjacent cations. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that solvent molecules are gradually eliminated even at room temperature and completely removed at 369 K. Desolvated complex 1' showed an abrupt spin transition at T1/2 upward arrow = 180 K and T1/2 downward arrow = 174 K with 6 K wide hysteresis.     

Photomagnetism of a sym‐cis‐Dithiocyanato Iron(II) Complex with a Tetradentate N,N′‐Bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)1,2‐ethanediamine Ligand

A comprehensive study of the magnetic and photomagnetic behaviors of cis‐[Fe(picen)(NCS)₂] (picen=N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)1,2‐ethanediamine) was carried out. The spin‐equilibration was extremely slow in the vicinity of the thermal spin‐transition. When the cooling speed was slower than 0.1 K min^?1, this complex was characterized by an abrupt thermal spin‐transition at about 70 K. Measurement of the kinetics in the range 60–70 K was performed to approach the quasi‐static hysteresis loop. At low temperatures, the metastable HS state was quenched by a rapid freezing process and the critical T(TIESST) temperature, which was associated with the thermally induced excited spin‐state‐trapping (TIESST) effect, was measured. At 10 K, this complex also exhibited the well‐known light‐induced excited spin‐state‐trapping (LIESST) effect and the T(LIESST) temperature was determined. The kinetics of the metastable HS states, which were generated from the freezing effect and from the light‐induced excitation, was studied. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as a function of speed‐cooling and light conditions at 30 K revealed the mechanism of the spin‐crossover in this complex as well as some direct relationships between its structural properties and its spin state. This spin‐crossover (SCO) material represents a fascinating example in which the metastability of the HS state is in close vicinity to the thermal spin‐transition region. Moreover, it is a beautiful example of a complex in which the metastable HS states can be generated, and then compared, either by the freezing effect or by the LIESST effect.     

Unusual magnetic property associated with dimerization within a nickel tetramer

A new ion-pair complex, 1-benzyl-4-aminopyridinium bis(maleonitriledithiolato)nickelate(III) (1), has been synthesized. The variable magnetic susceptibility results of 1 show a discontinuity around 184 K, which is phenomenologically similar to that observed for first-row transition metal complexes undergoing a spin crossover transition. The crystal structure analyses of 1 at high and low temperatures indicate that this unusual magnetic property is associated with a packing structure that changes from tetrameric spin clusters to dimers between neighboring spin carriers.     

Cooperative spin crossover and order-disorder phenomena in a mononuclear compound [Fe(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2) [DAPP = [bis(3-aminopropyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine], abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole

The synthesis and detailed characterization of the new spin crossover mononuclear complex [Fe(II)(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2), where DAPP = [bis(3-aminopropyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] and abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole, are reported. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and M?ssbauer spectroscopy have revealed the occurrence of an abrupt spin transition with a hysteresis loop. The hysteresis width derived from magnetic susceptibility measurements is 10 K, the transition being centered at T(c) downward arrow = 171 K for decreasing and T(c) upward arrow = 181 K for increasing temperatures. The crystal structure was resolved in the high-spin (293 and 183 K) and low-spin (123 K) states. Both spin-state structures belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n (Z = 4). The thermal spin transition is accompanied by the shortening of the mean Fe-N distances by 0.177 A. The two main structural characteristics of [Fe(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2) are a branched network of intermolecular links in the crystal lattice and the occurrence of two types of order-disorder transitions (in the DAPP ligand and in the perchlorate anions) accompanying the thermal spin change. These features are discussed relative to the magnetic properties of the complex. The electronic structure calculations show that the structural disorder in the DAPP ligand modulates the energy gap between the HS and LS states. In line with previous studies, the order-disorder phenomena and the spin transition in [Fe(DAPP)(abpt)](ClO(4))(2) are found to be interrelated.     

常温自旋交叉配合物[Fe(dpp)(Mepy)2(NCS)2]的合成与磁性研究

设计制备了一个新的常温自旋交叉配合物[Fe(dpp)(Mepy)2(NCS)2]。通过元素分析、红外光谱、电喷雾质谱和紫外光谱等方法对该配合物进行结构表征。变温磁化率研究发现该配合物的自旋转换温度Tc为330K。通过与同体系其他配合物的比较发现,配体的修饰对自旋交叉临界温度以及回滞宽度都有显著影响。     

Single-laser-shot-induced complete bidirectional spin transition at room temperature in single crystals of (FeII(pyrazine)(Pt(CN)4))

Single crystals of the {Fe (II)(pyrazine)[Pt(CN) 4]} spin crossover complex were synthesized by a slow diffusion method. The crystals exhibit a thermal spin transition around room temperature (298 K), which is accompanied by a 14 K wide hysteresis loop. X-ray single-crystal analysis confirms that this compound crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/ mmm space group in both spin states. Within the thermal hysteresis region a complete bidirectional photoconversion was induced between the two phases (high spin right arrow over left arrow low spin) when a short single laser pulse (4 ns, 532 nm) was shined on the sample.     

Synthesis and characterization of a dinuclear iron(II) spin crossover complex with wide hysteresis

The magnetic properties and results from X-ray structure analysis for a new pair of iron(II) spin-crossover complexes [FeL1(meim) 2](meim) ( 1(meim)) and [Fe 2L2(meim) 4](meim) 4 ( 2(meim) 4), with L1 being a tetradentate N 2O 2 (2-) coordinating Schiff-base-like ligand [([3,3']-[1,2-phenylenebis(iminomethylidyne)]bis(2,4-pentane-dionato)(2-)N,N',O (2),O (2)'], L2 being an octadentate, dinucleating N 2O 2 (2-) coordinating Schiff-base-like ligand [3,3',3',3']-[1,2,4,5-phenylenetetra(iminomethylidyne)]tetra(2,4-pentanedionato)(2-) N, N', N', N', O (2), O (2) ', O (2) ', O (2) '], and meim being N-methylimidazole, are discussed in this work. Crystalline samples of both complexes show a cooperative spin transition with an approximately 2-K-wide thermal hysteresis loop in the case of 1(meim) ( T 1/2 increase = 179 K and T 1/2 decrease = 177 K) and an approximately 21-K-wide thermal hysteresis loop in the case of dinuclear complex 2(meim) 4 ( T 1/2 increase= 199 K and T 1/2 decrease= 178 K). For a separately prepared powder sample of 2, a gradual spin transition with T 1/2 = 229 K is observed that was additionally followed by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The results from X-ray structure analysis give a deeper insight into the molecule packing in the crystal and, by this, help to explain the increase of cooperative interactions during the spin transition when going from the mononuclear to the dinuclear complex. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1, and the X-ray structure was analyzed before and after the spin transition. The change of the spin state at the iron center is accompanied by a change of the O-Fe-O angle, the so-called bite of the equatorial ligand, from about 109 degrees in the high-spin state to 89 degrees in the low-spin state. The cooperative interactions responsible for the thermal hysteresis loop are due to elastic interactions between the complex molecules in both cases. However, due to the higher symmetry of the dinucleating ligand in 2(meim) 4, a 3D network of short contacts is formed, while for mononuclear complex 1(meim), a 2D layer of linked molecules is observed. The spin transition was additionally followed in solution using (1)H NMR spectroscopy for both complexes. In both cases, a gradual spin transition is observed, and the increase of cooperative interactions when going from the mononuclear to the dinuclear system is solely attributed to the extended network of intermolecular contacts.     

Mechanochemical effect in the iron(III) spin crossover complex [Fe(3-MeO-salenEt2]PF6 as studied by heat capacity calorimetry

Magnetic and thermal properties of the iron(III) spin crossover complex [Fe(3MeO-salenEt)(2)]PF(6) are very sensitive to mechanochemical perturbations. Heat capacities for unperturbed and differently perturbed samples were precisely determined by adiabatic calorimetry at temperatures in the 10-300 K range. The unperturbed compound shows a cooperative spin crossover transition at 162.31 K, presenting a hysteresis of 2.8 K. The anomalous enthalpy and entropy contents of the transition were evaluated to be Delta(trs)H = 5.94 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(trs)S = 36.7 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. By mechanochemical treatments, (1) the phase transition temperature was lowered by 1.14 K, (2) the enthalpy and entropy gains at the phase transition due to the spin crossover phenomenon were diminished to Delta(trs)H = 4.94 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(trs)S = 31.1 J K(-1) mol(-1), and (3) the lattice heat capacities were larger than those of the unperturbed sample over the whole temperature range. In spite of different mechanical perturbations (grinding with a mortar and pestle and grinding in a ball-mill), two sets of heat capacity measurements provided basically the same results. The mechanochemical perturbation exerts its effect more strongly on the low-spin state than on the high-spin state. It shows a substantial increase of the number of iron(III) ions in the high-spin state below the transition temperature. The heat capacities of the diamagnetic cobalt(III) analogue [Co(3MeO-salenEt)(2)]PF(6) also were measured. The lattice heat capacity of the iron compounds has been estimated from either the measurements on the cobalt complex using a corresponding states law or the effective frequency distribution method. These estimations have been used for the evaluation of the transition anomaly.     

Spin crossover and polymorphism in a family of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene-bridged binuclear iron(II) complexes. A key role of structural distortions

Two polymorphic modifications 1 and 3 of binuclear compound [{Fe(dpia)(NCS)(2)}(2)(bpe)] and pseudo-polymorphic modification [{Fe(dpia)(NCS)(2)}(2)(bpe)]·2CH(3)OH (2), where dpia = di-(2-picolyl)amine, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, were synthesized, and their structures, magnetic properties, and M?ssbauer spectra were studied. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of three binuclear compounds show different types of magnetic behaviour. The complex 1 exhibits a gradual two-step spin crossover (SCO) suggesting the occurrence of the mixed [HS-LS] (HS: high spin, LS: low spin) pair at the plateau temperature (182 K), at which about 50% of the complexes undergoes a thermal spin conversion. The complex 2 displays an abrupt full one-step spin transition without hysteresis, centred at about 159 K. The complex 3 is paramagnetic over the temperature range 20-290 K. The single-crystal X-ray studies show that all three compounds are built up from the bpe-bridged binuclear molecules. The structure of 1 was solved for three spin isomers [HS-HS], [HS-LS], and [LS-LS] at three temperatures 300 K, 183 K, and 90 K. The crystal structures for 2 and 3 were determined for the [HS-HS] complexes at room temperature. The analysis of correlations between the structural characteristics and different types of magnetic behaviour for new 1-3 binuclear complexes, as well as for previously reported binuclear compounds, revealed that the SCO process (occurrence of full one-step, two-step, or partial (50%) SCO) is specified by the degree of distortion of the octahedral geometry of the [FeN(6)] core, caused by both packing and strain effects arising from terminal and/or bridging ligands. The comparison of the magnetic properties and the networks of intra- and inter-molecular interactions in the crystal lattice for the family of related SCO binuclear compounds suggests that the intermolecular interactions play a predominant role in the cooperativeness of the spin transition relative to the intramolecular interactions through the bridging ligand.     

High-spin- and low-spin-state structures of [Fe(chloroethyltetrazole)6](ClO4)2 from synchrotron powder diffraction data

The spin-crossover complex [Fe(teec)(6)](ClO(4))(2) (teec = chloroethyltetrazole) exhibits a 50 % incomplete spin crossover in the temperature range 300-30 K. Time-resolved synchrotron powder diffraction experiments have been carried out to elucidate its structural behavior. We report crystal structure models of this material at 300 K (high spin) and 90 K (low spin), as solved from synchrotron powder diffraction data by using Genetic Algorithm and Parallel Tempering techniques and refined with Rietveld refinement. During short synchrotron powder diffraction experiments (five minutes duration) two distinguishable lattices were observed the quantities of which vary with temperature. The implication of this phenomenon, that is interpreted as a structural phase transition associated with the high-to-low spin crossover, and the structural characteristics of the high-spin and low-spin models are discussed in relation to other compounds showing a similar type of spin-crossover behavior.     

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic and magnetic study of a spin-crossover polymer complex, Fe(3-chloropyridine)2Ni(CN)4

The coordination polymer Fe(3-chloropyridine)₂Ni(CN)₄ (2) has been prepared by a method similar to that for Fe(pyridine)₂Ni(CN)₄ (1). The complex (2) has been characterized by⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and a SQUID technique.⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and magnetic susceptibility data show that complex (2) exhibits spin-crossover behavior. The spin transition of (2) occurs between 120 and 80 K with very small hysteresis or without hysteresis. The temperature range of the spin transition in (2) is lower than that in (1). A residual high spin iron(II) fraction is observed at low temperatures in (2), being different from (1). SQUID data also show that samples treated differently yield different spin transition curves.     

Spin transition in a chainlike supramolecular iron(II) complex

A one-dimensional supramolecular head-to-tail N+ -H...N-type hydrogen-bonded chain of the complex [FeII(L)2H](ClO4)3.MeOH [L = 4'-(4'-pyridyl)-1,2':6'1'-bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine] exhibits a reversible, thermally driven spin transition at 286 K with a hysteresis loop of ca. 2 K.     

Pressure effect and crystal structure reinvestigations on the spin crossover system: [Fe(bt)2(NCS)2] (bt = 2,2'-bithiazoline) polymorphs A and B

The crystal structure of [Fe(bt)2(NCS)2] (A) was determined by X-ray diffraction at 293 and at 150 K in order to analyze the structural changes associated with the spin transition. The space group is P1 with Z = 2 at both temperatures. Lattice constants are as follows: a = 8.5240(4), b = 11.0730(6), c = 12.5300(8) at 293 K and a = 8.1490(4), b = 11.4390(5), c = 12.1270(6) at 150 K. The iron(II) atom lies at the center of a distorted [FeN6] defined by two bt ligands arranged in a cis conformation. The two remaining coordination positions are occupied by two isothiocyanate anions. The average bond lengths of 2.159(4) A (293 K) and 1.951(2) A (150 K) clearly indicate the change in spin configuration. The trigonal distortion parameter phi has a value of 9.6 degrees and 5.5 degrees at 293 and 150 K, respectively. For A, DeltaV = DeltaV(SCO) = 28 A(3) per formula unit and is accompanied by a hysteresis of 10 K. chi(M)T vs T curves at atmospheric pressure for A show an abrupt spin transition with Tc downward arrow = 176 K and Tc upward arrow = 187 K. The thermodynamic parameters associated with the spin transition are DeltaH = 8.4 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS = 46.5 +/- 3 J K mol(-1). The thermal dependence of the magnetic susceptibility at different pressures, 0.1-0.91 GPa, points out an unusual behavior, which can only be understood in terms of a crystallographic phase transition or a change in the bulk modulus of the complex. Polymorph B crystallizes in the C2/c space group with an average Fe-N bond length of 2.168(2) A and phi = 14.7 degrees at 293 K. B remains in the HS configuration even at pressures of 1.06 GPa.     

Reversible switching of a cobalt complex by thermal, pressure, and electrochemical stimuli: abrupt, complete, hysteretic spin crossover

Triply switchable [Co(II)(dpzca)(2)] shows an abrupt, reversible, and hysteretic spin crossover (T(1/2)↓ = 168 K, T(1/2)↑ = 179 K, and ΔT(1/2) = 11 K) between the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states of cobalt(II), both of which have been structurally characterized. The spin transition is also reversibly triggered by pressure changes. Moreover, in a third reversible switching mechanism for this complex, the magnetic properties can be switched between HS cobalt(II) and LS cobalt(III) by redox.     

Effect of Ligand Field Strength on the Spin Crossover Behaviour in 5‐X‐SalEen (X=Me,Br and OMe) Based Fe(III) Complexes

The reaction of Fe(NCS)₃ prepared in situ in MeOH with 5‐X‐SalEen ligands (5‐X‐SalEen=condensation product of 5‐substituted salicylaldehyde and N‐ethylethylenediamine) provided three Fe(III) complexes, [Fe(5‐X‐SalEen)₂]NCS; X=Me ( 1 ), X=Br ( 2 ), X=OMe ( 3 ). All the complexes reveal similar structural features but a very different magnetic profile. Complex 1 shows a gradual spin crossover while complexes 2 and 3 show a sharp spin transition. The T_1/2 for complex 2 is 237 K while for complex 3 it is much higher with a value of 361 K. The spin transition temperature is shifted towards higher temperature with increasing electron‐donation ability of the ligand substituents. This experimental observation has been rationalized with DFT calculations. UV‐Vis and cyclic voltammetry studies support the fact that the electron density on the ligand increases from Me to Br to OMe substituents. To understand the change in spin states, temperature‐dependent EPR spectra have been recorded. The spin state equilibrium in the liquid state has been probed with Evans NMR spectroscopic method, and thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated for all complexes.     

Structural-electronic correlation in the first-order phase transition of [FeH2L2-Me](ClO4)2 (H2L2-Me = bis[((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)-3- aminopropyl]ethylenediamine)

The synthesis and detailed study of the new mononuclear spin crossover complex [Fe(II)H2L(2-Me)](ClO4)2 (where H2L(2-Me) = bis[((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)-3-aminopropyl]ethylenediamine) are reported. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show the occurrence of a steep spin crossover centered at 171.5 K with a hysteresis loop of ca. 5 K width (T(/2)(increasing) = 174 K and T(1/2)(decreasing) = 169 K, for increasing and decreasing temperatures, respectively). The crystal structure has been resolved for the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states at 200 and 123 K, respectively, revealing a crystallographic phase transition that occurs concomitantly to the spin crossover: at 200 K, the complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, while the space group is P2(1) at 123 K. The mean Fe-N distances are shortened by 0.2 A, but the thermal spin crossover is accompanied by significant structural changes: the rearrangement of the central atom C12 of a six-membered chelate ring of [Fe(II)H2L(2-Me)]2+ to two positions (C12A and C12B) and, consequently, the lack of an inversion center at 123 K (P2(1) space group). Both HS and LS supramolecular structures involve all possible hydrogen bonds between imidazole and amine NH functions, and perchlorate anions; however, the HS supramolecular structure is a one-dimensional (1D) network, and the LS phase may better be described as a two-dimensional (2D) extended structure of A and B molecules. The structural phase transition of [FeH2L(2-Me)](ClO4)2 seems to trigger the steep and hysteretic spin crossover. Discontinuities in the temperature dependence of the M?ssbauer parameters (isomer shift and quadrupole splitting) at the spin crossover temperature confirmed the occurrence of a structural phase transition. The experimental enthalpy and entropy variations were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as 7.5 +/- 0.4 kJ/mol and 45 +/- 3 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. The regular solution theory was applied to the experimental data, yielding an interaction parameter of Gamma = 3.36 kJ/mol, which is larger than 2RT(1/2), which fulfills the condition for observing hysteresis.     

A Bistable Microelectromechanical System Actuated by Spin‐Crossover Molecules

We report on a bistable MEMS device actuated by spin‐crossover molecules. The device consists of a freestanding silicon microcantilever with an integrated piezoresistive detection system, which was coated with a 140 nm thick film of the [Fe(HB(tz)₃)₂] (tz=1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl) molecular spin‐crossover complex. Switching from the low‐spin to the high‐spin state of the ferrous ions at 338 K led to a reversible upward bending of the cantilever in agreement with the change in the lattice parameters of the complex. The strong mechanical coupling was also evidenced by the decrease of approximately 66 Hz in the resonance frequency in the high‐spin state as well as by the drop in the quality factor around the spin transition.     

Estimate of the vibrational contribution to the entropy change associated with the spin transition in the d4 systems [MnIII(pyrol)3tren] and [CrII(depe)2I2

The vibrational contribution to DeltaS of the low-spin ((3)T(1)) to high-spin ((5)E) spin transition in two 3d(4) octahedral systems [Mn(III)(pyrol)(3)tren] and [Cr(depe)(2)I(2)] have been estimated by means of DFT calculations (B3LYP/CEP-31G) of the vibrational normal-modes frequencies. The obtained value at the transition temperature for the Mn(iii) complex is DeltaS(vib)(44 K) = 6.3 J K(-1) mol(-1), which is comparable with the proposed Jahn-Teller contribution of R ln3 = 9.1 J K(-1) mol(-1) and which is approximately half of the experimentally determined 13.8 J K(-1) mol(-1). The corresponding value for the Cr(ii) complex is DeltaS(vib)(171.45 K) = 46.5 J K(-1) mol(-1), as compared to the experimental value of 39.45 J K(-1) mol(-1). The analysis of the vibrational normal modes reveals that for the d(4) systems under study, contrary to Fe(ii) d(6) systems, not all metal-ligand stretching vibrations make a contribution. For the Mn(iii) complex, the only vibration that contributes to DeltaS(vib) involve the nitrogens occupying the Jahn-Teller axis, while in the case of Cr(ii) the contributing vibrations involve the Cr-I bonds. Low-frequency modes due to ring vibrations, metal-ligand bending and movement of the molecule as a whole also contribute to the vibrational entropy associated with the spin transition.     

Anion-solvent dependence of bistability in a family of meridional N-donor-ligand-containing iron(II) spin crossover complexes

Five mononuclear spin crossover iron(II) bis-meridional ligand complexes of the general formula [Fe(L)(2)](X)(2).solvent, have been synthesized, where X = BF(4)- or ClO(4)-; L = 2-(1-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-pyrazine (picpzpz) or 2-(3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine) (picpypz); solvent = MeOH or EtOH. The magnetic and structural consequences of systematic variation of meridional ligand, solvent, and anion, including a desolvated species, have been investigated. The complex [Fe(picpzpz)(2)](BF(4))(2).MeOH, 1.MeOH, displays several unique properties including a two-step spin transition with a gradual higher-temperature step ((1)T(1/2) = 197 K) and an abrupt low-temperature step with hysteresis ((2)T(1/2) = 91/98 K) and a metastable intermediate spin state below 70 K with quench-cooling. Removal of the solvent methanol results in the loss of the abrupt step and associated hysteresis (T(1/2) = 150 K). The complexes [Fe(picpzpz)(2)](BF(4))(2).EtOH (1.EtOH), [Fe(picpzpz)(2)](ClO(4))(2).MeOH (2.MeOH), [Fe(picpzpz)(2)](ClO(4))(2).EtOH (2.EtOH), and [Fe(picpypz)(2)](BF(4))(2).MeOH (3.MeOH) all show gradual one-step spin transitions with T(1/2) values in the range 210-250 K. Photomagnetic LIESST measurements on 1.MeOH reveal a near-quantitative excitation of high-spin sites and a unique two-step relaxation process related to the two-step thermal spin transition ((1)T(LIESST) = 49 K and (2)T(LIESST) = 70 K). The structural consequences of the unusual spin transition displayed by 1.MeOH have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural analyses between 25 and 293 K. Detailed characterization of the unit cell parameter evolution vs temperature reflects both the gradual high-temperature step and abrupt low-temperature step, including the thermal hysteresis, observed magnetically.