catena‐Poly[[bis(μ‐2‐sulfonatobenzoato)bis[triaquagadolinium(III)]]‐μ‐oxalato]

The asymmetric unit of the title coordination polymer, [Gd₂(C₇H₄O₅S)₂(C₂O₄)(H₂O)₆]_n or [Gd(2‐SB)(ox)_0.5(H₂O)₃]_2n (2‐SB is 2‐sulfonatobenzoate and ox is oxalate), (I), consists of one Gd^III ion, one 2‐SB anion, three coordinated water molecules and one half of an ox ligand. The ox ligand is located on a crystallographic inversion centre. The Gd^III centre shows a distorted tricapped trigonal–prismatic coordination formed by nine O atoms from two 2‐SB anions, one ox ligand and three coordinated water molecules. The carboxylate and sulfonate groups of the 2‐SB anions adopt μ₂‐η¹:η² and μ₁‐η⁰:η⁰:η¹ coordination modes to link two Gd^III ions, generating a centrosymmetric binuclear [Gd₂(2‐SB)₂(H₂O)₆]²⁻ subunit. The ox ligand acts as a bridge, linking the binuclear [Gd₂(2‐SB)₂(H₂O)₆]²⁻ subunits into a one‐dimensional chain structure parallel to the b axis. Furthermore, extensive O—H...O hydrogen bonds connect the chains into a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

A Mixed‐Valence {Fe13} Cluster Exhibiting Metal‐to‐Metal Charge‐Transfer‐Switched Spin Crossover

It is promising and challenging to manipulate the electronic structures and functions of materials utilizing both metal‐to‐metal charge transfer (MMCT) and spin‐crossover (SCO) to tune the valence and spin states of metal ions. Herein, a metallocyanate building block is used to link with a Fe^II‐triazole moiety and generates a mixed‐valence complex {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₉[Fe^II₄(trz‐ph)₆]}?[Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 ; trz‐ph=4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole). Moreover, MMCT occurs between Fe^III and one of the Fe^II sites after heat treatment, resulting in the generation of a new phase, {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^II(CN)₃][(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₈ [Fe^IIIFe^II₃(trz‐ph)₆]}? [Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 a ). Structural and magnetic studies reveal that MMCT can tune the two‐step SCO behavior of 1 into one‐step SCO behavior of 1 a . Our work demonstrates that the integration of MMCT and SCO can provide a new alternative for manipulating functional spin‐transition materials with accessible multi‐electronic states.     

Charge‐Transfer Phase Transition of a Cyanide‐Bridged FeII/FeIII Coordination Polymer

Heterometallic Prussian blue analogues are known to exhibit thermally induced charge transfer, resulting in switching of optical and magnetic properties. However, charge‐transfer phase transitions have not been reported for the simplest FeFe cyanide‐bridged systems. A mixed‐valence Fe^II/Fe^III cyanide‐bridged coordination polymer, {[Fe(Tp)(CN)₃]₂Fe(bpe)?5 H₂O}_n, which demonstrates a thermally induced charge‐transfer phase transition, is described. As a result of the charge transfer during this phase transition, the high‐spin state of the whole system does not change to a low‐spin state. This result is in contrast to FeCo cyanide‐bridged systems that exhibit charge‐transfer‐induced spin transitions.     

Divergent Coordination Chemistry: Parallel Synthesis of [2×2] Iron(II) Grid‐Complex Tauto‐Conformers

The coordination of iron(II) ions by a homoditopic ligand L with two tridentate chelates leads to the tautomerism‐driven emergence of complexity, with isomeric tetramers and trimers as the coordination products. The structures of the two dominant [Fe^II₄ L ₄]⁸⁺ complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction, and the distinctness of the products was confirmed by ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. Moreover, these two isomers display contrasting magnetic properties (Fe^II spin crossover vs. a blocked Fe^II high‐spin state). These results demonstrate how the coordination of a metal ion to a ligand that can undergo tautomerization can increase, at a higher hierarchical level, complexity, here expressed by the formation of isomeric molecular assemblies with distinct physical properties. Such results are of importance for improving our understanding of the emergence of complexity in chemistry and biology.     

Octacyanidorhenate(V) Ion as an Efficient Linker for Hysteretic Two‐Step Iron(II) Spin Crossover Switchable by Temperature,Light, and Pressure

A two‐step hysteretic Fe^II spin crossover (SCO) effect was achieved in programmed layered Cs{[Fe(3‐CNpy)₂][Re(CN)₈]}?H₂O ( 1 ) (3‐CNpy=3‐cyanopyridine) assembly consisting of cyanido‐bridged Fe^II‐Re^V square grid sheets bonded by Cs⁺ ions. The presence of two non‐equivalent Fe^II sites and the conjunction of 2D bimetallic coordination network with non‐covalent interlayer interactions involving Cs⁺, [Re^V(CN)₈]^3? ions, and 3‐CNpy ligands, leads to the occurrence of two steps of thermal SCO with strong cooperativity giving a double thermal hysteresis loop. The resulting spin‐transition phenomenon could be tuned by an external pressure giving the room‐temperature range of SCO, as well as by visible‐light irradiation, inducing an efficient recovery of the high‐spin Fe^II state at low temperatures. We prove that octacyanidorhenate(V) ion is an outstanding metalloligand for induction of a cooperative multistep, multiswitchable Fe^II SCO effect.     

Two‐Step Spin Transition in a 1D FeII 1,2,4‐Triazole Chain Compound

A thermochromic 1D spin crossover coordination (SCO) polymer [Fe(βAlatrz)₃](BF₄)₂ ? 2 H₂O ( 1? 2 H₂O), whose precursor βAlatrz, (1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl‐propionate) has been tailored from a β‐amino acid ester is investigated in detail by a set of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared, and Raman measurements. An hysteretic abrupt two‐step spin crossover (T_1/2^↓=230 K and T_1/2^↑=235 K, and T_1/2^↓=172 K and T_1/2^↑=188 K, respectively) is registered for the first time for a 1,2,4‐triazole‐based Fe^II 1D coordination polymer. The two‐step SCO configuration is observed in a 1:2 ratio of low‐spin/high‐spin in the intermediate phase for a 1D chain. The origin of the stepwise transition was attributed to a distribution of chains of different lengths in 1? 2 H₂O after First Order Reversal Curves (FORC) analyses. A detailed DFT analysis allowed us to propose the normal mode assignment of the Raman peaks in the low‐spin and high‐spin states of 1? 2 H₂O. Vibrational spectra of 1? 2 H₂O reveal that the BF₄^? anions and water molecules play no significant role on the vibrational properties of the [Fe(βAlatrz)₃]²⁺ polymeric chains, although non‐coordinated water molecules have a dramatic influence on the emergence of a step in the spin transition curve. The dehydrated material [Fe(βAlatrz)₃](BF₄)₂ ( 1 ) reveals indeed a significantly different magnetic behavior with a one‐step SCO which was also investigated.     

2‐Amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐thiadiazole as Bidentate Ligand

The amino substituted bidentate chelating ligand 2‐amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (H₂ L ) was used to prepare 3:1‐type coordination compounds of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II). In the iron(II) perchlorate complex [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·0.6MeOH·0.9H₂O a 1:1 mixture of mer and fac isomers is present whereas [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](BF₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O, [Co^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O and [Ni^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O feature merely mer derivatives. Moessbauer spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic measurements revealed the [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core to exist in the low‐spin state, whereas the [Co^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core resides in its high‐spin state, even at very low temperatures.     

Air‐Free Synthesis of a Ferrous Metal‐Organic Framework Featuring HKUST‐1 Structure and its Mössbauer Spectrum

Single crystals of the Fe^II metal‐organic framework (MOF) with 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate (BTC) as a linker were solvothermally obtained under air‐free conditions. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the crystals demonstrated a structure for Fe^II‐MOF analogous to that of [Cu₃(BTC)₂] (HKUST‐1). Unlike HKUST‐1, however, the Fe^II‐MOF did not retain permanent porosity after exchange of guest molecules. The Mössbauer spectrum of the Fe^II‐MOF was recorded at 80 K in zero field yielding an apparent quadrupole splitting of ΔE_Q = 2.43 mm · s^–1, and an isomer shift of δ = 1.20 mm · s^–1, consistent with high‐spin central iron(II) atoms. Air exposure of the Fe^II‐MOF was found to result in oxidation of the metal atoms to afford Fe^III. These results demonstrate that Fe^II‐based MOFs can be prepared in similar fashion to the [Cu₃(BTC)₂], but that they lack permanent porosity when degassed.     

FeIII Quinolylsalicylaldimine Complexes: A Rare Mixed‐Spin‐State Complex and Abrupt Spin Crossover

A new synthesis of (8‐quinolyl)‐5‐methoxysalicylaldimine (Hqsal‐5‐OMe) is reported and its crystal structure is presented. Two Fe^III complexes, [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)₂]Cl ? solvent (solvent=2 MeOH ? 0.5 H₂O ( 1 ) and MeCN ? H₂O ( 2 )) have been prepared and their structural, electronic and magnetic properties studied. [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)₂] Cl ? 2 MeOH ? 0.5 H₂O ( 1 ) exhibits rare crystallographically independent high‐spin and low‐spin Fe^III centres at 150 K, whereas [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)₂]Cl ? MeCN ? H₂O ( 2 ) is low spin at 100 K. In both structures there are extensive π–π and C? H???π interactions. SQUID magnetometry of 2 reveals an unusual abrupt stepped‐spin crossover with T_1/2=245 K and 275 K for steps 1 and 2, respectively, with a slight hysteresis of 5 K in the first step and a plateau of 15 K between the steps. In contrast, 1 is found to undergo an abrupt half‐spin crossover also with a hysteresis of 10 K. The two compounds are the first Fe^III complexes of a substituted qsal ligand to exhibit abrupt spin crossover. These conclusions are supported by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Both complexes exhibit reversible reduction to Fe^II at ?0.18 V and irreversible oxidation of the coordinated qsal‐5‐OMe ligand at +1.10 V.     

{[Eu(ox)(H2O)4]·[CuBr(2‐pzc)2]·4H2O}: Hydrogen Bonding Directed Assembly to Supramolecular Network

A new 3d–4f heterometallic coordination framework, {[Eu(ox)(H₂O)₄] · [CuBr(2‐pzc)₂] · 4H₂O} ( 1 ) [ox = oxalate; 2‐pzc = pyrazine‐2‐carboxylate] was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis, as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 represents one 3D supramolecular heterometallic coordination framework that is assembled from rare lanthanide‐ox anionic chains and CuBr(2‐pzc)₂ cationic units through hydrogen bonds.     

A Brønsted‐Ligand‐Based Iron Complex as a Molecular Switch with Five Accessible States

A mononuclear Fe^II complex, prepared with a Brønsted diacid ligand, H₂L (H₂L=2‐[5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐yl] 6‐benzimidazole pyridine), shows switchable physical properties and was isolated in five different electronic states. The spin crossover (SCO) complex, [Fe^II(H₂L)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 1_A ), exhibits abrupt spin transition at T_1/2=258 K, and treatment with base yields a deprotonated analogue [Fe^II(HL)₂] ( 1_B ), which shows gradual SCO above 350 K. A range of Fe^III analogues were also characterized. [Fe^III(HL)(H₂L)](BF₄)Cl ( 1_C ) has an S=5/2 spin state, while the deprotonated complexes [Fe^III(L)(HL)], ( 1_D ), and (TEA)[Fe^III(L)₂], ( 1_E ) exist in the low‐spin S=1/2 state. The electronic properties of the five complexes were fully characterized and we demonstrate in situ switching between multiple states in both solution and the solid‐state. The versatility of this simple mononuclear system illustrates how proton donor/acceptor ligands can vastly increase the range of accessible states in switchable molecular devices.     

Sulfur‐linked Phenolates as Ligands for the Syntheses of Low‐Nuclearity Iron(III) Complexes

Exploiting thiacalix 4 arene and sulfur‐bridged bisphenolates as ligands for bioinorganic studies involving iron(III) requires the prior development of synthetic routes (varying substituents and reaction conditions) to construct complexes with low nuclearities and accessible coordination sites, which was in the focus of this investigation. Treating p‐tert‐butylthiacalix 4 arene (H₄TC) and 1, 4‐dimethyl‐p‐tert‐butylthiacalix 4 arene (Me₂H₂TC) with Fe[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ yielded in the formation of the iron(III) complexes [(Me₃SiTC)₂Fe₂] ( 1 ) and [(Me₂TC)₃Fe₂] ( 3 ), respectively. While 1 is a sandwich compound, in 3 one [Me₂TC]^2– unit is bridging two [Me₂TCFe]⁺ moieties. Employing thiobisphenolates as ligands it turned out, that in dependence on the residues R and the preparation method it is possible to selectively access sandwich, anionic or neutral complexes, which were shown to contain central high‐spin iron(III) atoms. The syntheses, structures, and electronic properties of three iron(III) bisphenolate complexes, [^ClL₂Fe]NEt₃H ( 4 ), [^MeLFeCl₂]NEt₃H ( 5 ), and [^tBuLFeCl(thf)] ( 7 ) are discussed.     

Solvent‐Free Ball‐Milling Subcomponent Synthesis of Metallosupramolecular Complexes

Subcomponent self‐assembly from components A , B , C , D , and Fe²⁺ under solvent‐free conditions by self‐sorting leads to the construction of three structurally different metallosupramolecular iron(II) complexes. Under carefully selected ball‐milling conditions, tetranuclear [Fe₄( AD ₂)₆]^4? 22‐component cage 1 , dinuclear [Fe₂( BD ₂)₃]^2? 11‐component helicate 2 , and 5‐component mononuclear [Fe( CD ₃)]²⁺ complex 3 were prepared simultaneously in a one‐pot reaction from 38 components. Through subcomponent substitution reaction by adding subcomponent B , the [Fe₄( AD ₂)₆]^4? cage converts quantitatively to the [Fe₂( BD ₂)₃]^2? helicate, which, in turn, upon addition of subcomponent C , transforms to [Fe( CD ₃)]²⁺, following the hierarchical preference based on the thermodynamic stability of the complexes.     

Single‐Crystal X‐Ray Diffraction Study of Pressure and Temperature‐Induced Spin Trapping in a Bistable Iron(II) Hofmann Framework

High‐pressure single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction has been used to trap both the low‐spin (LS) and high‐spin (HS) states of the iron(II) Hofmann spin crossover framework, [Fe^II(pdm)(H₂O)[Ag(CN)₂]₂?H₂O, under identical experimental conditions, allowing the structural changes arising from the spin‐transition to be deconvoluted from previously reported thermal effects.     

Light‐Induced Bistability in the 2 D Coordination Network {[Fe(bbtr)3][BF4]2}∞: Wavelength‐Selective Addressing of Molecular Spin States

Whereas the neat polymeric Fe^II compound {[Fe(bbtr)₃][ClO₄]₂}_∞ (bbtr=1,4‐di(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)butane) shows an abrupt spin transition centered at 107 K facilitated by a crystallographic symmetry breaking, in the covalently linked 2D coordination network of {[Fe(bbtr)₃][BF₄]₂}_∞, Fe^II stays in the high‐spin state down to 10 K. However, strong cooperative effects of elastic origin result in reversible, persistent, and wavelength‐selective photoswitching between the low‐spin and high‐spin manifolds. This compound thus shows true light‐induced bistability below 100 K. The persistent bidirectional optical switching behavior is discussed as a function of temperature, irradiation time, and intensity. Crystallographic studies reveal a photoinduced symmetry breaking and serve to establish the correlation between structure and cooperative effects. The static and kinetic behavior is explicated within the framework of the mean‐field approximation.     

Spontaneous Reduction of Mononuclear High‐Spin Iron(III) Complexes to Mononuclear Low‐Spin Iron(II) Complexes in Aqueous Media and Nuclease Activity via Self‐Activation

Mononuclear high‐spin [Fe^III(Pyimpy)Cl₃]?2 CH₂Cl₂ ( 1 ?2 CH₂Cl₂) and [Fe^III(Me‐Pyimpy)Cl₃] ( 2 ), as well as low‐spin Fe^II(Pyimpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 3 ) and [Fe^II(Me‐Pyimpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 4 ) complexes of tridentate ligands Pyimpy and Me‐Pyimpy have been synthesized and characterized by analytical techniques, spectral, and X‐ray structural analyses. We observed an important type of conversion and associated spontaneous reduction of mono‐chelated high‐spin Fe^III ( 1 ?2 CH₂Cl₂ and 2 ) complexes to low‐spin bis‐chelated Fe^II complexes 3 and 4 , respectively. This process has been explored in detail by UV/Vis, fluorescence, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements. The high positive potentials observed in electrochemical studies suggested a better stabilization of Fe^II centers in 3 and 4 . Theoretical studies by density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported an increased stabilization for 3 in polar solvents. Self‐activated nuclease activity of complexes 1 ?2CH₂Cl₂ and 2 during their spontaneous reduction was examined for the first time and the mechanism of nuclease activity was investigated.     

Guest‐, Light‐ and Thermally‐Modulated Spin Crossover in [FeII2] Supramolecular Helicates

A new bis(pyrazolylpyridine) ligand (H₂L) has been prepared to form functional [Fe₂(H₂L)₃]⁴⁺ metallohelicates. Changes to the synthesis yield six derivatives, X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃]X(PF₆)₂?xCH₃OH ( 1 , x=5.7 and X=Cl; 2 , x=4 and X=Br), X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃]X(PF₆)₂?yCH₃OH?H₂O ( 1 a , y=3 and X=Cl; 2 a , y=1 and X=Br) and X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃](I₃)₂?3 Et₂O ( 1 b , X=Cl; 2 b , X=Br). Their structure and functional properties are described in detail by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments at several temperatures. Helicates 1 a and 2 a are obtained from 1 and 2 , respectively, by a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal mechanism. The three possible magnetic states, [LS–LS], [LS–HS], and [HS–HS] can be accessed over large temperature ranges as a result of the structural nonequivalence of the Fe^II centers. The nature of the guest (Cl^? vs. Br^?) shifts the spin crossover (SCO) temperature by roughly 40 K. Also, metastable [LS–HS] or [HS–HS] states are generated through irradiation. All helicates (X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃])³⁺ persist in solution.     

The Coordination Chemistry of Iron with the 1,4‐Bis(2‐pyridyl‐methyl)piperazine Ligand

The behaviour of Fe^II and Fe^III ions in combination with the potential ligand 1,4‐bis(2‐pyridyl‐methyl)piperazine (BPMP) under anhydrous conditions has been investigated. BPMP has been reacted with FeCl₂, FeCl₃ and [Fe(OTf)₂(MeCN)₂]. This led to the isolation of four new complexes, which were fully characterized and structurally investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It turned out that in the presence of chloride co‐ligands Fe^III favours the tetradentate coordination mode of BPMP with the piperazine unit in a boat configuration, like for instance in [BPMP(Cl)Fe(μ‐O)FeCl₃] or [BPMP‐FeCl₂][FeCl₄], ( 1 ). However, the employment of FeCl₂ leads to the formation of a coordination polymer [BPMP‐FeCl₂]_n, ( 2 ), containing the piperazine ring in a chair configuration binding to two iron centres each. 2 can only be dissolved in very polar solvents like dmf which is capable of breaking up the polymeric structure under formation of [Cl₂(dmf)Fe(μ‐BPMP‐1κ²N,N:2κ²N,N))Fe(dmf)Cl₂]·2 dmf, ( 3 ). In contrast, using [Fe(OTf)₂(MeCN)₂] instead of FeCl₂ as the starting material leads to a mononuclear Fe^II complex with BPMP bound in the desirable tetradentate fashion: [BPMP‐Fe(OTf)₂], ( 4 ). Unlike other complexes with tetradentate N/py ligands the two residual ligands in 4 are bound almost trans to each other with the potential to adopt a cis orientation under oxidising conditions, and it will be interesting to exploit its catalytic properties in future.     

Rational Design of [13C,D14]Tert‐butylbenzene as a Scaffold Structure for Designing Long‐lived Hyperpolarized 13C Probes

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a technique to polarize the nuclear spin population. As a result of the hyperpolarization, the NMR sensitivity of the nuclei in molecules can be dramatically enhanced. Recent application of the hyperpolarization technique has led to advances in biochemical and molecular studies. A major problem is the short lifetime of the polarized nuclear spin state. Generally, in solution, the polarized nuclear spin state decays to a thermal spin equilibrium, resulting in loss of the enhanced NMR signal. This decay is correlated directly with the spin‐lattice relaxation time T₁. Here we report [¹³C,D₁₄]tert‐butylbenzene as a new scaffold structure for designing hyperpolarized ¹³C probes. Thanks to the minimized spin‐lattice relaxation (T₁) pathways, its water‐soluble derivative showed a remarkably long ¹³C T₁ value and long retention of the hyperpolarized spin state.     

Revisited crystal symmetry of the high‐spin form of the iron(II) spin‐crossover complex di­cyano­[2,13‐di­methyl‐6,9‐dioxa‐3,12,18‐tri­aza­bi­cyclo­[12.3.1]­octadeca‐1(18),2,12,14,16‐pentaene]­iron(II) monohydrate

The title iron(II) complex, [Fe(CN)₂(C₁₅H₂₃N₃O₂)]·H₂O, is of interest to the spin‐crossover community because of its unusual temperature‐dependent magnetic behaviour as well as its relatively high relaxation temperature for the light‐induced spin‐crossover phenomenon. Structural modifications are strongly suspected to cause the unusual thermal spin‐crossover features. Recently, the high‐spin crystal structure has been reported but with an inadequate space group. In the present paper, the crystal structure is corrected by a new investigation, and some consequences for the structure–property relationships of this complex are discussed. The Fe^II ion is seven‐coordinate and lies on a twofold axis.