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.     

DNA three-way junction with a dinuclear iron(II) supramolecular helicate at the center: a NMR structural study

A tetracationic supramolecular helicate, [Fe2L3]4+ (L = C25H20N4), with a triple-helical architecture is found to induce the formation of a three-way junction (3WJ) of deoxyribonucleotides with the helicate located in the center of the junction. NMR spectroscopic studies of the interaction between the M enantiomer of the helicate and two different oligonucleotides, [5'-d(TATGGTACCATA)]2 and [5'-d(CGTACG)]2, show that, in each case, the 2-fold symmetry of the helicate is lifted, while the 3-fold symmetry around the helicate axis is retained. The 1:3 helicate/DNA stoichiometry estimated from 1D NMR spectra supports a molecular model of a three-way junction composed of three strands. Three separate double-helical arms of the three-way junction are chemically identical giving rise to one set of proton resonances. The NOE contacts between the helicate and DNA unambiguously show that the helicate is fitted into the center of the three-way junction experiencing a hydrophobic 3-fold symmetric environment. Close stacking interactions between the ligand phenyl groups and the nucleotide bases are demonstrated through unusually large downfield shifts (1-2 ppm) of the phenyl protons. The unprecedented 3WJ arrangement observed in solution has also been found to exist in the crystal structure of the helicate adduct of [d(CGTACG)2] (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2006, 45, 1227).     

The magnetic and structural elucidation of 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolate-bridged dinuclear iron(II) spin crossover compounds

Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility, Mössbauer spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic studies are described on two structurally similar families of dinuclear iron(II) spin crossover (SCO) complexes of formula [Fe(NCX)(py)]₂(μ-L)₂, where L is either a 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-pyrazolate bridging ligand, bpypz⁻, examples of which have been earlier reported by Kaizaki and coworkers, or a corresponding 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazolate, bpytz⁻. Compounds synthesised were [Fe(NCS)(py)]₂(μ-bpypz)₂ (1), [Fe(NCSe)(py)]₂(μ-bpypz)₂ (2), [Fe(NCS)(py)]₂(μ-bpytz)₂ (3), [Fe(NCSe)(py)]₂(μ-bpytz)₂ (4), [Fe(NCBH₃)(py)]₂(μ-bpytz)₂ (5). The crystal and molecular structures of 1 and 3 are very similar in their HS–HS forms (HS = high spin d⁶). In contrast to reported SCO behaviour for precipitated samples of 1, also repeated here, crystals of 1 show only HS–HS behaviour with no spin crossover transition. Complex 3 likewise displays HS–HS magnetism, with very weak antiferromagnetic coupling. Compound 5 displays a well resolved two-step, full spin transition from HS–HS to LS–LS states while compound 2 shows a one step transition. The Mössbauer data for 2 and 5 show unusual features at low temperatures.     

Thermal and light induced polymorphism in iron(II) spin crossover compounds

The spin crossover complexes [Fe[H(2)B(pz)(2)](2)L]([H(2)B(pz)(2)](-)= dihydrobis(pyrazolyl)borate, L = 2,2[prime or minute]-bipyridine (1), bipy and 1,10-phenanthroline, phen (2)) undergo both thermal and light induced spin crossover, but the structure of the low spin and light induced high spin states for are different from that of the thermally induced high spin state and from those of.     

Configurational ordering of a cationic dinuclear triple helicate by chiral TRISPHAT anions

Chiral TRISPHAT anions behave as efficient asymmetric hosts controlling with high efficiency the configuration of a cationic dicobalt(II) triple helicate--de up to 82%.     

Picosecond X-ray absorption spectroscopy of a photoinduced iron(II) spin crossover reaction in solution

In this study, we perform steady-state and time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) on the iron K-edge of [Fe(tren(py)3)](PF6)2 dissolved in acetonitrile solution. Static XAS measurements on the low-spin parent compound and its high-spin analogue, [Fe(tren(6-Me-py)3)](PF6)2, reveal distinct spectroscopic signatures for the two spin states in the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and in the X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). For the time-resolved studies, 100 fs, 400 nm pump pulses initiate a charge-transfer transition in the low-spin complex. The subsequent electronic and geometric changes associated with the formation of the high-spin excited state are probed with 70 ps, 7.1 keV, tunable X-ray pulses derived from the Advanced Light Source (ALS). Modeling of the transient XAS data reveals that the average iron-nitrogen (Fe-N) bond is lengthened by 0.21+/-0.03 A in the high-spin excited state relative to the ground state within 70 ps. This structural modification causes a change in the metal-ligand interactions as reflected by the altered density of states of the unoccupied metal orbitals. Our results constitute the first direct measurements of the dynamic atomic and electronic structural rearrangements occurring during a photoinduced FeII spin crossover reaction in solution via picosecond X-ray absorption spectroscopy.     

A dinuclear triple-stranded helicate with a bis(benzene-o-dithiolato) ligand

The bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligand H4-1 reacts with Ti4+ in a self-assembly reaction to give the dinuclear triple-stranded helicate [Ti2(1)3]4- which is the first helicate build exclusively from benzene-o-dithiolato donor groups.     

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.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of novel iron(II)-based spin crossover compounds

Two novel spin crossover (SCO) compounds, namely [Fe(INMe)(pyN₄)]Br₂, and [Fe(IMMe)(pyN₄)](OTf)₂, where pyN₄ = 2,6-Bis(1′,3′-diamino-2′methyl-prop-2′yl)pyridine, INMe = isonicotinic acid methyl ester, IMMe = N-methyl-imidazole, and OTf = triflate, are characterized here both from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. In particular, we apply various density functionals and basis sets to obtain optimized geometries for low- (LS) and high-spin (HS) states, vibrational spectra, LS–HS splittings, and temperature-dependent UV/vis spectra. While geometries and spectra are in good agreement with experimental data, the well-known spin pairing problem makes it difficult to compute accurate LS–HS splitting energies and enthalpies. Based on TD–DFT calculations, the capacity of the compounds for use as reversibly photo-switchable molecules is discussed.     

Spin crossover in a four-coordinate iron(II) complex

The four-coordinate iron(II) phosphoraniminato complex PhB(MesIm)(3)Fe-N═PPh(3) undergoes an S = 0 to S = 2 spin transition with T(C) = 81 K, as determined by variable-temperature magnetic measurements and Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy. Variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the S = 0 to S = 2 transition is associated with an increase in the Fe-C and Fe-N bond distances and a decrease in the N-P bond distance. These structural changes have been interpreted in terms of electronic structure theory.     

Tuning of spin crossover behaviour in iron(III) complexes involving pentadentate Schiff bases and pseudohalides

Investigations on a series of eight novel mononuclear iron(III) Schiff base complexes with the general formula [Fe(L(5))(L(1))]·S (where H(2)L(5) = pentadentate Schiff-base ligand, L(1) = a pseudohalido ligand, and S is a solvent molecule) are reported. Several different aromatic 2-hydroxyaldehyde derivatives were used in combination with a non-symmetrical triamine 1,6-diamino-4-azahexane to synthesize the H(2)L(5) Schiff base ligands. The consecutive reaction with iron(III) chloride resulted in the preparation of the [Fe(L(5))Cl] precursor complexes which were left to react with a wide range of the L(1) pseudohalido ligands. The low-spin compounds were prepared using the cyanido ligand: [Fe(3m-salpet)(CN)]·CH(3)OH (1a), [Fe(3e-salpet)(CN)]·H(2)O (1b), while the high-spin compounds were obtained by the reaction of the pseudohalido (other than cyanido) ligands with the [Fe(L(5))Cl] complex arising from salicylaldehyde derivatives: [Fe(3Bu5Me-salpet)(NCS)] (2a), [Fe(3m-salpet)(NCO)]·CH(3)OH (2b) and [Fe(3m-salpet)(N(3))] (2c). The compounds exhibiting spin-crossover phenomena were prepared only when L(5) arose from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (H(2)L(5) = H(2)napet): [Fe(napet)(NCS)]·CH(3)CN (3a, T(1/2) = 151 K), [Fe(napet)(NCSe)]·CH(3)CN (3b, T(1/2) = 170 K), [Fe(napet)(NCO)] (3c, T(1/2) = 155 K) and [Fe(napet)(N(3))], which, moreover, exhibits thermal hysteresis (3d, T(1/2)↑ = 122 K, T(1/2)↓ = 117 K). These compounds are the first examples of octahedral iron(III) spin-crossover compounds with the coordinated pseudohalides. We report the structure and magnetic properties of these complexes. The magnetic data of all the compounds were analysed using the spin Hamiltonian formalism including the ZFS term and in the case of spin-crossover, the Ising-like model was also applied.     

Designing dinuclear iron(II) spin crossover complexes. Structure and magnetism of dinitrile-, dicyanamido-, tricyanomethanide-, bipyrimidine- and tetrazine-bridged compounds

In order to expand the few known examples of dinuclear iron(II) compounds displaying (weak) intradinuclear exchange coupling and spin-crossover on one or both of the iron(II) centres, various dinuclear compounds have been synthesised and assessed for their spin-crossover and exchange coupling behaviour. The key aim of the work was to prepare and structurally characterise 'weakly linked' and 'covalently bridged' systems incorporating bridging ligands such as alkyldinitriles (e.g.NC(CH(2))(4)CN), bipyrimidine (bpym), dicyanamide (dca(-)), tricyanomethanide (tcm(-)), 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)tetrazine (bptz) and 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)2,5-dihydrotetrazine (H(2)bptz). The 'end groups', which complete the Fe(ii)N(6) chromophores, include tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa), di(2-pyridylethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa'), 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (pypzH), 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-phen), tris(pyrazolyl)methane (tpm) and NCX(-)(X = S, Se). It was quite difficult to achieve the spin-crossover condition, many ligand combinations yielding high-spin/high-spin (HS-HS) Fe(II)Fe(II) spin states at all temperatures (300-2 K) with very weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J < -1 cm(-1)), two such being the crystallographically characterised [(dca)(tpm)Fe(mu(1,5)-dca)(2)Fe(tpm)(dca)], 5, and [(tpa')Fe(mu(1,5)-tcm)(2)Fe(tpa')](tcm)(2)(H(2)O)(2), 6. In contrast, a strong field was created around the Fe(II) centres in [(tpa)Fe(mu-(NC(CH(2))(4)CN))(2)Fe(tpa)](ClO(4))(4).NC(CH(2))(4)CN, 1, and the Fe-N bond distances, at 173 K, reflected this. This weakly-linked dinitrile example showed a spin-crossover beginning above 300 K. 'Half crossover' examples, yielding HS-LS states below the spin transition, similar to those noted by Real and coworkers in some mu-bpym systems, were noted for [(1,10-phen)(NCS)(2)Fe(mu-bpym)Fe(NCS)(2)(1,10-phen)], 2, [(pypzH)(NCSe)(2)Fe(mu-bpym)Fe(NCSe)(2)(pypzH)], 4, and [(tpa)Fe(mu-H(2)bptz)Fe(tpa)](ClO(4))(4), 8. Interestingly, the mu-bptz analogue, 7, remained LS-LS at all temperatures with the start of a broad spin crossover evident above 300 K. No thermal hysteresis was evident in the spin transitions of these new dinuclear crossover species indicating a lack of intra- or interdinuclear cooperativity.     

A two-step spin crossover mononuclear iron(II) complex with a [HS-LS-LS] intermediate phase

The two-step spin crossover of a new mononuclear iron(ii) complex is studied by magnetic, crystallographic and calorimetric methods revealing two successive first-order phase transitions and an ordered intermediate phase built by the repetition of the unprecedented [HS-LS-LS] motif.     

Room temperature conductance switching in a molecular iron(iii) spin crossover junction

Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction. The junction is constructed from [Fe^III(qsal-I)₂]NTf₂ (qsal-I = 4-iodo-2-[(8-quinolylimino)methyl]phenolate) molecules self-assembled on graphene surfaces with conductance switching of one order of magnitude associated with the high and low spin states of the SCO complex. Normalized conductance analysis of the current–voltage characteristics as a function of temperature reveals that charge transport across the SCO molecule is dominated by coherent tunnelling. Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory confirm the SCO complex retains its SCO functionality on the surface implying that van der Waals molecule—electrode interfaces provide a good trade-off between junction stability while retaining SCO switching capability. These results provide new insights and may aid in the design of other types of molecular devices based on SCO compounds.

Herein, we report the first room temperature switchable Fe(iii) molecular spin crossover (SCO) tunnel junction.     

X-ray illumination induced Fe(II) spin crossover in the Prussian blue analogue cesium iron hexacyanochromate

The effect of X-ray illumination on the structural properties of the mixed valence Prussian blue analogue CsFe(II)[Cr(III)(CN)6] has been studied by time-dependent high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Abrupt isosymmetric phase transitions, accompanied by dramatic volume collapse, were found in the temperature range 245-265 K, induced by sudden Fe(II) spin transitions from the high spin (HS) (4t(2g)2e(g), S = 2) to the low spin (LS) (6t(2g)0e(g), S = 0) configuration. Absorption of X-ray photons generates photoexcited Fe(II)(LS) domains whose size rapidly grows with time until the percolation threshold is reached and the structure collapse is triggered. The persistent character of the optically excited spin crossover states derives from the strong electron-phonon coupling, associated with the large lattice relaxations, which accompany the internal spin rearrangements. It is thus possible to use X-ray light in a controllable and efficient way to induce photoswitching between the ground and hidden or inaccessible excited states in suitably selected multistable materials in the bulk.     

Spin transition charted in a fluorophore-tagged thermochromic dinuclear iron(II) complex

The first crystal structures of a dinuclear iron(II) complex with three N1,N2-1,2,4-triazole bridges in the high-spin and low-spin states are reported. Its sharp spin transition, which was probed using X-ray, calorimetric, magnetic, and (57)Fe Mossbauer analyses, is also delineated in the crystalline state by variable-temperature fluorimetry for the first time.     

Thermo-, piezo-, photo- and chemo-switchable spin crossover iron(II)-metallocyanate based coordination polymers

The design of coordination polymers (CPs) with switch and memory functions is an important subject of current interest in the search for new advanced materials with potential applications. Implementation of CPs with electronically labile iron(II) building blocks able to undergo cooperative spin crossover (SCO) behavior is a singular approach to this end. This review provides an up to date survey of a new generation of iron(II)-metallocyanate based spin crossover coordination polymers (SCO-CPs) developed during the last decade. These new solids feature structural diversity, supramolecular isomerism, interpenetrating frameworks, structure flexibility, reversible solid-state chemical reactions, metallophilic interactions, porosity, physi- and chemisorption, or processability at nanoscale level, in addition to inherent SCO properties.     

Anion directed assembly of a dinuclear double helicate

The synthesis and structural characterisation of the diamino-bis-pyridine ligand L2 and its diammonium-bispyridinium salt [(H4L2Cl)2].6Cl.H2O 1, are reported; X-ray diffraction studies reveal that chloride coordination causes the latter to adopt a double-helicate structure in the solid-state.     

One-dimensional iron(II) compounds exhibiting spin crossover and liquid crystalline properties in the room temperature region

A novel series of 1D Fe(II) metallomesogens have been synthesized using the ligand 5-bis(alkoxy)- N-(4 H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzamide (C n -tba) and the Fe(X) 2. sH 2O salts. The polymers obey the general formula [Fe(C n -tba) 3](X) 2. sH 2O [X = CF 3SO 3 (-), BF 4 (-); n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12]. The derivatives with n = 4, 6 exhibit spin transition behavior like in crystalline compounds, whereas those with n = 8, 10, 12 present a spin transition coexisting with the mesomorphic behavior in the room-temperature region. A columnar mesophase has been found for the majority of the metallomesogens, but also a columnar lamellar mesophase was observed for other derivatives. [Fe(C 12-tba) 3](CF 3SO 3) 2 represents a new example of a system where the phase transition directly influences the spin transition of the Fe(II) ions but is not the driving energy of the spin crossover phenomenon. The compounds display drastic changes of color from violet (low-spin state, LS) to white (high-spin state, HS). The compounds are fluid, and it is possible to prepare thin films from them.