Iron(II) spin crossover complexes of tetradentate Schiff-bases: tuning T1/2 by choice of formyl-heterocycle component.

Four new tetradentate Schiff-base ligands were prepared in situ from the 1 : 2 condensation of 1,3-diaminopropane and either 2-thiazolecarboxaldehyde (L2thiazole), 4-thiazolecarboxaldehyde (L4thiazole), 4-oxazolecarboxaldehyde (L4oxazole), or 5-bromopyridine-2-aldehyde (L5Br-pyridine), and complexed with [Fe(NCS)2(pyridine)4] to give four monometallic FeII complexes, [Fe(Lheterocycle)(NCS)2]. Structural characterisation shows the expected octahedral FeII centres in all cases, with Lheterocycle occupying the equatorial plane and the two thiocyanate ligands trans to each other, resulting in an N6 coordination sphere. Solid state magnetic measurements showed that the two complexes with the thiazole-based ligands exhibit the beginning of a spin transition above 300 K, with T1/2 = 350 K for [Fe(L4thiazole)(NCS)2] and 400 K for [Fe(L2thiazole)(NCS)2], whereas the 4-oxazole-based ligand gives [Fe(L4oxazole)(NCS)2] which remains high spin at all measured temperatures (50-400 K). Interestingly, [Fe(L5Br-pyridine)(NCS)2] crystallised as two solvent-free polymorphs: magnetic measurements on samples with both polymorphs present showed a two step SCO with an abrupt transition at T1/2 = 245 K assigned to the transition in polymorph A (as this was also seen in a sample of pure polymorph A), and a gradual transition at T1/2 = 304 K assigned to polymorph B. These findings show that the order of increasing ligand field strength for these heterocycles is 4-oxazole ≪ 5Br-pyridine < 4-thiazole < 2-thiazole.

Qualitative Guest Sensing via Iron(II) Triazole Complexes.

The pyridazine-pyridine triazole-based Rat ligand, Lpydzpy [4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(3-pyridazinyl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-triazole], is potentially ditopic. Nevertheless, Lpydzpy is shown herein to exclusively form mononuclear iron(II) complexes, [FeII(Lpydzpy)2(NCE)2]·solvent, in the presence of coordinating NCE anions (E = S or Se). Specifically, a new family of 10 mononuclear complexes, in which Lpydzpy binds in a monotopic bidentate manner, has been made: two solvent-free complexes, [FeII(Lpydzpy)2(NCS)2] (1) and [FeII(Lpydzpy)2(NCSe)2] (2); six solvatomorphs, 1·4CH3CN, 2·4CH3CN, 1·2.25CH3CN, 2·3CH3CN, 2·tetrahydrofuran, and 2·CHCl3; and a pair of desolvated polymorphs, 1' and 2'. Seven of them are spin crossover-active, the exceptions being 1, 2, and 2'. This is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) for 1, 2, 1·4CH3CN, and 2·4CH3CN and is consistent with variable-temperature optical microscopy observations on single crystals of 1·4CH3CN and 2·4CH3CN and on samples of 1' and 2'. Powder XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, and solid-state magnetometry reveal that desolvated 1' and 2' are capable of absorbing and desorbing a range of volatile guests: CH3CN in both cases and also tetrahydrofuran and CHCl3 in the case of 2'.

Predictable Electronic Tuning By Choice of Azine Substituent in Five Iron(II) Triazoles: Redox Properties and DFT Calculations.

Five new mononuclear iron(II) tris-ligand complexes, and four solvatomorphs, have been made from the azine-substituted 1,2,4-triazole ligands (Lazine ): [FeII (Lpyridazine )3 ](BF4 )2 (1), [FeII (Lpyrazine )3 ](BF4 )2 (2), [FeII (Lpyridine )3 ](BF4 )2 (3), [FeII (L2pyrimidine )3 ](BF4 )2 (4), and [FeII (L4pyrimidine )3 ](BF4 )2 (5). Single-crystal XRD and solid-state magnetometry reveal that all of them are low-spin (LS) iron(II), except for solvatomorph 5⋅4 H2 O. Evans method NMR studies in CD2 Cl2 , (CD3 )2 CO and CD3 CN show that all are LS in these solvents, except 5 in CD2 Cl2 (consistent with L4pyrimidine imposing the weakest field). Cyclic voltammetry in CH3 CN vs. Ag/0.01 m AgNO3 reveals an, at best quasi-reversible, FeIII/II redox process, with Epa increasing from 0.69 to 0.99 V as the azine changes: pyridine< pyridazine<2-pyrimidine<4-pyrimidine< pyrazine. The observed Epa values correlate linearly with the DFT calculated HOMO energies for the LS complexes.

Spin crossover in discrete polynuclear iron(ii) complexes.

Iron(ii) spin crossover (SCO) materials have been widely studied as molecular switches with a wide variety of potential applications, including as displays, sensors, actuators or memory components. Most SCO materials have been either monometallic or polymeric, and it is only relatively recently that chemists have really started to focus on linking multiple metal centres together within the one, discrete, molecule in an effort to enhance the SCO properties, such as abrupt, hysteretic, and multistep switching, as well as the potential for quantum cellular automata, whilst still being readily amenable to characterisation. Here we present a review of the ligand designs of the last two decades that have led to self assembly of discrete di- to poly-nuclear iron(ii) complexes of helicate, cage, cube, and other supramolecular architectures with rich SCO activity, and to an increased focus on host-guest interactions. Analysis of selected octahedral distortion parameters (Σ, CShM) reveals interesting differences between these structural types, for example that the iron(ii) centres in grids are generally significantly more distorted than those in squares or cages, yet are still SCO-active. Of the 127 complexes reviewed (79 published 2012-Feb. 2018), 54% are dinuclear, 10% trinuclear, 31% tetranuclear, and the remaining 5% are penta, hexa and octanuclear. Of the 93 designer ligands utilised in these polynuclear architectures: 60 feature azoles; 55 provide all donors to the Fe(ii) centres (no co-ligands coordinated) and form exclusively 5-membered chelate rings via either bidentate azole-imine/pyridine or tridentate heterocycle-imine/amine/thioether/pyridine-heterocycle binding pockets.

Solvent Polarity Predictably Tunes Spin Crossover T1/2 in Isomeric Iron(II) Pyrimidine Triazoles.

Two isomeric pyrimidine-based Rdpt-type triazole ligands were made: 4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(2-pyrimidyl)-5-phenyl-4 H-1,2,4-triazole (L2pyrimidine) and 4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(4-pyrimidyl)-5-phenyl-4 H-1,2,4-triazole (L4pyrimidine). When reacted with [FeII(pyridine)4(NCE)2], where E = S, Se, or BH3, two families of mononuclear iron(II) complexes are obtained, including six solvatomorphs, giving a total of 12 compounds: [FeII(L2pyrimidine)2(NCS)2] (1), [FeII(L2pyrimidine)2(NCSe)2] (2), 2·1.5H2O, [FeII(L2pyrimidine)2(NCBH3)2]·2CHCl3 (3·2CHCl3), 3 and 3·2H2O, [FeII(L4pyrimidine)2(NCS)2] (4), 4·H2O, [FeII(L4pyrimidine)2(NCSe)2] (5), 5·2CH3OH, 5·1.5H2O, and [FeII(L4pyrimidine)2(NCBH3)2]·2.5H2O (6·2.5H2O). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the N6-coordinated iron(II) centers in 1, 2, 3·2CHCl3, 4, 5, and 5·2CH3OH have two bidentate triazole ligands equatorially bound and two axial NCE co-ligands trans-coordinated. All structures are high spin (HS) at 100 K, except 3·2CHCl3, which is low spin (LS). Solid-state magnetic measurements show that only 3·2CHCl3 ( T1/2 above 400 K) and 5·1.5H2O ( T1/2 = 110 K) undergo spin crossover (SCO); the others remain HS at 300-50 K. When 3·2CHCl3 is heated at 400 K it desorbs CHCl3 becoming 3, which remains HS at 400-50 K. UV-Vis studies in CH2Cl2, CHCl3, (CH3)2CO, CH3CN, and CH3NO2 solutions for the BH3 analogues 3 and 6 led to a 6:1 ratio of L npyrimidine/Fe(II) being employed for the solution studies. These revealed SCO activity in all five solvents, with T1/2 values for the 2-pyrimidine complex (247-396 K) that were consistently higher than for the 4-pyrimidine complex (216-367 K), regardless of solvent choice, consistent with the 2-pyrimidine ring providing a stronger ligand field than the 4-pyrimidine ring. Strong correlations of solvent polarity index with the T1/2 values in those solvents are observed for each complex, enabling predictable T1/2 tuning by up to 150 K. While this correlation is tantalizing, here it may also be reflecting solvent-dependent speciation-so future tests of this concept should employ more stable complexes. Differences between solid-state (ligand field; crystal packing; solvent content) and solution (ligand field; solvation; speciation) effects on SCO are highlighted.

Non-Porous Iron(II)-Based Sensor: Crystallographic Insights into a Cycle of Colorful Guest-Induced Topotactic Transformations.

Materials capable of sensing volatile guests at room temperature by an easily monitored set of outputs are of great appeal for development as chemical sensors of small volatile organics and toxic gases. Herein the dinuclear iron(II) complex, [FeII2 (L)2 (CH3 CN)4 ](BF4 )4 ⋅2 CH3 CN (1) [L=4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(3-pyridazinyl)-5-pyridyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole], is shown to undergo reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformations upon exposure to vapors of different guests: 1 (MeCN)⇌2 (EtOH)→3 (H2 O)⇌1 (MeCN). Whilst 1 and 2 remain dimetallic, SCSC to 3 involves conversion to a 1D polymeric chain (due to a change in L bridging mode), which, remarkably, can undergo SCSC de-polymerization, reforming dimetallic 1. Additionally, SC-XRD studies of two ordered transient forms, 1TF3 and 2TF3, confirm that guest exchange occurs by diffusion of the new guests into the non-porous lattices as the old guests leave. These reversible SCSC events also induce color and magnetic responses. Indeed dark red 1 is spin crossover active (T1/2 ↓ 356 K; T1/2 ↑ 369 K), whilst orange 2 and yellow 3 remain high spin.

Spin Crossover in Dinuclear N4S2 Iron(II) Thioether-Triazole Complexes: Access to [HS-HS], [HS-LS], and [LS-LS] States.

Access to a new family of thioether-linked PSRT ligands, 4-substituted-3,5-bis{[(2-pyridylmethyl)sulfanyl]methyl}-4H-1,2,4-triazoles (analogues of the previously studied amino-linked PMRT ligands), has been established. Four such ligands have been prepared, PSPhT, PS(i)BuT, PS(t-Bu)PhT, and PS(Me)PhT, with R = Ph, (i)Bu, (t-Bu)Ph, and (Me)Ph, respectively. Three dinuclear colorless to pale green iron(II) complexes, [Fe(II)2(PSRT)2](BF4)4·solvent, featuring N4S2 donor sets, were prepared. Single-crystal structure determinations on [Fe(II)2(PSPhT)2](BF4)4·2MeCN·H2O, [Fe(II)2(PSPhT)2](BF4)4·2(1)/2MeCN·(1)/2H2O·THF, [Fe(II)2(PS(Me)PhT)2](BF4)4·2MeCN, and [Fe(II)2(PS(i)BuT)2](BF4)4·4MeCN reveal that all four are stabilized in the [HS-HS] state to 100 K and that both possible binding modes of the bis-terdentate ligands, cis- and trans-axial, are observed. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies of air-dried crystals (solvatomorphs of the single crystal samples) reveal the first examples of spin crossover (SCO) for a dinuclear iron(II) complex with N4S2 coordination. Specifically, [Fe(II)2(PSPhT)2](BF4)4·2(1)/2H2O undergoes a multistep but complete SCO from [HS-HS] to [LS-LS], whereas [Fe(II)2(PS(Me)PhT)2](BF4)4·1(1)/2MeCN·2H2O exhibits a half-SCO from [HS-HS] to [HS-LS]. In contrast, [Fe(II)2(PS(i)BuT)2](BF4)4·MeCN·H2O remains [HS-HS] down to 50 K. The reflectance spectrum of pale green [Fe(II)2(PSPhT)2](BF4)4·(1)/2CHCl3·2(1)/2H2O (solvatomorph A) reveals a trace of LS character (572 nm band (1)A1g → (1)T1g). Evans' (1)H NMR method and UV-vis spectroscopy studies revealed that on cooling dark green acetonitrile solutions of these complexes from 313 to 233 K, all three undergo SCO centered at or near room temperature. The tendency of the complexes to go LS in solution reflects the electronic impact of R on the σ-donor strength of the PSRT ligand, whereas the opposite trend in stabilization of the LS state is seen in the solid state, where crystal packing effects, of the R group and solvent content, dominate the SCO behavior.

Reversible quantitative guest sensing via spin crossover of an iron(ii) triazole.

A new phenyl-triazole-pyrazine ligand, 4-p-tolyl-3-(phenyl)-5-(2-pyrazinyl)-1,2,4-triazole (tolpzph), was prepared in order to enforce pyrazine coordination of the iron(ii) centre in the resulting complex, [FeII(tolpzph)2(NCS)2]·THF (1·THF). Structure determinations carried out on this discrete mononuclear complex, 1·THF, at 273 K (mostly high spin) and 100 K (mostly low spin) demonstrate this was successful, and that spin crossover (SCO) occurred on cooling. Subsequent magnetic measurements on 1·THF revealed that it shows highly sensitive and reversible solvent-dependent SCO, with T1/2(1·THF) = 255 K vs. T1/2(1) = 212 K (with SCO of 1 more abrupt and occurring with a 4 K hysteresis loop), a drop of 43 K due to THF loss. This is reversible over at least 10 cycles of re-solvating with THF followed by re-drying, so 1 ↔ 1·THF can be considered an 'on-off' THF sensor, monitored by the T1/2 reversibly shifting (by 43 K). Furthermore, quantitative sensing of the fractional amount of THF present in 1·nTHF, 0 ≤ n ≤ 1, is demonstrated. Monitoring the T1/2 and using TGA to quantify n(THF) revealed a linear dependence (25 data points; Pearson r2 = 0.93): T1/2 = 41.1n(THF) + 219. Finally, 1 is also shown to take up CHCl3 [T1/2(1·CHCl3) = 248 K], with a logarithmic T1/2 dependence on the fractional amount of CHCl3 present (10 data points; Pearson r2 = 0.98): T1/2 = 27.0 log10[n(CHCl3)] + 243. This study is a proof of principle that a (multi-use) quantitative sensor material based on spin crossover is feasible.

"Tail" tuning of iron(II) spin crossover temperature by 100 K.

Two new Rdpt ligands featuring long "tails", padpt (N-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)palmitamide) and hpdpt (4-(4-heptadecafluoroctylphenyl)-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole), were made and reacted with [Fe(II)(py)4(NCS)2] to give pinkish-red [Fe(II)(padpt)2(SCN)2] (1) and purple-red [Fe(II)(hpdpt)2(SCN)2] (2) as solvent-free crystals. Magnetic measurements reveal that both 1 and 2 exhibit complete and reproducible spin crossovers, with a far lower T1/2 for the amide-alkyl tailed 1 (182 K) than for the fluorocarbon tailed 2 (248 K), which in turn is far lower than the T1/2 of 290 K previously reported for the nonamide-alkyl tailed analogue [Fe(II)(C16dpt)2(SCN)2]·(2)/3H2O (3). Structure determinations for 1 and 2 in both the high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) states confirm the expected trans-NCS conformation and reveal that (a) the "tails" interdigitate and (b) the LS forms are less distorted than the HS forms (Σ = 58-70° vs 47-54°). DSC and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the high tail-dependence of the SCO events in 1 and 2, as well as in 3, with the Raman data giving T1/2 values of 190, 243, and 285 K, respectively. Bright orange single crystals of the solvatomorph [Fe(II)(hpdpt)2(SCN)2]·MeOH·H2O (2solv) were also structurally and magnetically characterized and, in contrast to 2, found to remain HS down to 4 K, providing further evidence of the huge impact of crystal packing on SCO. Both 1 and 2 form stable Langmuir films at an air-water interface, a single layer of which can be transferred to a solid support.

Selective gas adsorption in a pair of robust isostructural MOFs differing in framework charge and anion loading.

Activation of the secondary assembly instructions in the mononuclear pyrazine imide complexes [Co(III)(dpzca)2](BF4) or [Co(II)(dpzca)2] and [Ni(II)(dpzca)2] has facilitated the construction of two robust nanoporous three-dimensional coordination polymers, [Co(III)(dpzca)2Ag](BF4)2·2(H2O) [1·2(H2O)] and [Ni(II)(dpzca)2Ag]BF4·0.5(acetone) [2·0.5(acetone)]. Despite the difference in charge distribution and anion loading, the framework structures of 1·2(H2O) and 2·0.5(acetone) are isostructural. One dimensional channels along the b-axis permeate the structures and contain the tetrafluoroborate counterions (the Co(III)-based MOF has twice as many BF4(-) anions as the Ni(II)-based MOF) and guest solvent molecules. These anions are not readily exchanged whereas the solvent molecules can be reversibly removed and replaced. The H2, N2, CO2, CH4, H2O, CH3OH, and CH3CN sorption behaviors of the evacuated frameworks 1 and 2 at 298 K have been studied, and modeled, and both show very high selectivity for CO2 over N2. The increased anion loading in the channels of Co(III)-based MOF 1 relative to Ni(II)-based MOF 2 results in increased selectivity for CO2 over N2 but a decrease in the sorption kinetics and storage capacity of the framework.

Remarkable scan rate dependence for a highly constrained dinuclear iron(II) spin crossover complex with a wide thermal hysteresis loop.

The abrupt [HS-HS] ↔ localized [HS-LS] spin crossovers of a new triazole-based diiron(II) complex result in a record-equaling thermal hysteresis loop width for a dinuclear complex (ΔT = 22 K by SQUID magnetometer in "settle" mode) and show a remarkable scan rate dependence of only the cooling branch, as revealed by detailed magnetic, DSC, and Mössbauer studies.

Hysteretic spin crossover in iron(II) complexes of a new pyridine-triazole-pyrazine ligand is tuned by choice of NCE co-ligand.

A family of three new mononuclear complexes of the general form [Fe(L(pz))2(NCE)2] has been prepared (L(pz) = 4-p-tolyl-3-(2-pyrazinyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole; E = S, Se, BH3). All three exhibit spin crossover, in two cases with hysteresis, with T1/2 being predictably tuned by varying the coordinated anion.

Effect of N4-substituent choice on spin crossover in dinuclear iron(II) complexes of bis-terdentate 1,2,4-triazole-based ligands.

Seven new dinuclear iron(II) complexes of the general formula [Fe(II)2(PMRT)2](BF4)4·solvent, where PMRT is a 4-substituted-3,5-bis{[(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino]methyl}-4H-1,2,4-triazole, have been prepared in order to investigate the substituent effect on the spin crossover event. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy studies show that two of the complexes, [Fe(II)2(PMPT)2](BF4)4·H2O (N(4) substituent is pyrrolyl) and [Fe(II)2(PM(Ph)AT)2](BF4)4 (N(4) is N,N-diphenylamine), are stabilized in the [HS-HS] state between 300 and 2 K with weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the iron(II) centers. Five of the complexes showed gradual half spin crossover, from [HS-HS] to [HS-LS], with the following T(1/2) (K) values: 234 for [Fe(II)2(PMibT)2](BF4)4·3H2O (N(4) is isobutyl), 147 for [Fe(II)2(PMBzT)2](BF4)4 (N(4) is benzyl), 133 for [Fe(II)2(PM(CF3)PhT)2](BF4)4·DMF·H2O (N(4) is 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), 187 for [Fe(II)2(PMPhT)2](BF4)4 (N(4) is phenyl), and 224 for [Fe(II)2(PMC16T)2](BF4)4 (N(4) is hexadecyl). Structure determinations carried out for three complexes, [Fe(II)2(PMPT)2](BF4)4·4DMF, [Fe(II)2(PMBzT)2](BF4)4·CH3CN, and [Fe(II)2(PM(Ph)AT)2](BF4)4·solvent, revealed that in all three complexes both iron(II) centers are stabilized in the high spin state at 90 K. A general and reliable 4-step route to PMRT ligands is also detailed.

Oxidative dehydrogenation of a new tetra-amine N4-donor macrocycle tunes the nickel(II) spin state from high spin to low spin.

The nickel(II) spin state in a series of N4-donor macrocycles differing in the number of imine bonds is tuned from low spin (2 imines) to low or high spin (1 imine; non- or coordinating co-ligand) to high spin (no imines).

Di- and tetra-nuclear copper(II), nickel(II), and cobalt(II) complexes of four bis-tetradentate triazole-based ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties.

Four bis-tetradentate N(4)-substituted-3,5-{bis[bis-N-(2-pyridinemethyl)]aminomethyl}-4H-1,2,4-triazole ligands, L(Tz1)-L(Tz4), differing only in the triazole N(4) substituent R (where R is amino, pyrrolyl, phenyl, or 4-tertbutylphenyl, respectively) have been synthesized, characterized, and reacted with M(II)(BF(4))(2)·6H(2)O (M(II) = Cu, Ni or Co) and Co(SCN)(2). Experiments using all 16 possible combinations of metal salt and L(TzR) were carried out: 14 pure complexes were obtained, 11 of which are dinuclear, while the other three are tetranuclear. The dinuclear complexes include two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(H(2)O)(4)](BF(4))(4) (2), [Cu(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(BF(4))(2)](BF(4))(2) (4); two nickel(II) complexes, [Ni(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(H(2)O)(3)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(4)·0.5(CH(3)CN) (5) and [Ni(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(H(2)O)(4)](BF(4))(4)·H(2)O (8); and seven cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(µ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·H(2)O (9), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(µ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·2H(2)O (10), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz3))(H(2)O)(2)](BF(4))(4) (11), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(µ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·3H(2)O (12), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(SCN)(4)]·3H(2)O (13), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(SCN)(4)]·2H(2)O (14), and [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz3))(SCN)(4)]·H(2)O (15). The tetranuclear complexes are [Cu(II)(4)(L(Tz1))(2)(H(2)O)(2)(BF(4))(2)](BF(4))(6) (1), [Cu(II)(4)(L(Tz3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)(µ-F)(2)](BF(4))(6)·0.5H(2)O (3), and [Ni(II)(4)(L(Tz3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(µ-F(2))](BF(4))(6)·6.5H(2)O (7). Single crystal X-ray structure determinations revealed different solvent content from that found by microanalysis of the bulk sample after drying under a vacuum and confirmed that 5', 8', 9', 11', 12', and 15' are dinuclear while 1' and 7' are tetranuclear. As expected, magnetic measurements showed that weak antiferromagnetic intracomplex interactions are present in 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8, stabilizing a singlet spin ground state. All seven of the dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes, 9-15, have similar magnetic behavior and remain in the [HS-HS] state between 300 and 1.8 K.

Two dinuclear iron(II) complexes K[Fe2(L1)(SCN)4]·2(C3H8O) and [Fe2(L1)(SeCN)3(C5H5N)]·H2O are stabilised in the '[HS-LS]' state by a bis-tetradentate pyrazolate-based ligand.

Two air-sensitive dinuclear iron(II) complexes, K[Fe(II)(2)(L(1))(SCN)(4)]·2(C(3)H(8)O) (1) and [Fe(II)(2)(L(1))(SeCN)(3)(C(5)H(5)N)]·H(2)O (2), of 3,5-bis[N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-1H-pyrazolate [(L(1))(-)] have been prepared. Interestingly, complex 1 is anionic, featuring four coordinated SCN(-) anions and a potassium counterion whereas complex 2 is neutral, containing a coordinated pyridine molecule and only three coordinated SeCN(-) anions. These are the first iron complexes reported for this type of ligand. Magnetic measurements and Mössbauer spectra show that both 1 and 2 are in a '[HS-LS]' mixed spin state between 300 and 2 K.

Room-temperature spin crossover and Langmuir-Blodgett film formation of an iron(II) triazole complex featuring a long alkyl chain substituent: the tail that wags the dog.

[Fe(II)(C(16)dpt)(2)(NCS)(2)].(2/3)H(2)O displays temperature-mediated spin crossover (SCO) with T((1/2)) = 290 K and the long alkyl chain substituent on the dipyridyltriazole ligand facilitates the formation of a stable Langmuir-Blodgett film at an air-water interface.

Spin crossover in co-crystallised 2 ratio 1 cisratiotrans [Fe(II)(pldpt)(2)(NCS)(2)] occurs only in (1/3) of the iron centres.

The first spin crossover (SCO) active sample of co-crystallised stereoisomers (cisratiotrans, 2 ratio 1) is fully high spin (HS) at room temperature but displays temperature mediated SCO in which only a third of the iron(ii) centres change spin state.

Towards Langmuir-Blodgett films of magnetically interesting materials: solution equilibria in amphiphilic iron(II) complexes of a triazole-containing ligand.

As a first step towards amphiphilic spin crossover (SCO) systems where the hydrophobic part of the system is introduced by a non-coordinating anion (i.e. where no modification of the ligands to introduce hydrophobic substituents is required), [Fe(II)(OH(2))(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] and [Co(II)(OH(2))(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] have been prepared and reacted with the triazole-containing ligands adpt and pldpt (C(16)SO(3) = hexadecanesulfonate anion, adpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, pldpt = 4-pyrrolyl-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole). In the solid state, two HS complexes of the form [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] and two of the form [Co(II)(Rdpt)(2)(CH(3)OH)(2)](C(16)SO(3))(2) are obtained, even when a six-fold excess of ligand is used (Rdpt = adpt or pldpt). In solution, the cobalt complexes remain in this form as evidenced by colour, Visible/NIR and IR spectroscopy. For the iron complexes, there is an equilibrium in solution between the neutral high-spin form of the complex [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] and the dicationic low-spin tris form [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(3)](C(16)SO(3))(2). Polar solvents favour the dicationic form, while less polar solvents favour the neutral form (as evidenced by solution colour and solution IR spectroscopy). Visible/NIR spectroscopy and Evans' method NMR spectroscopy show the equilibrium can be shifted towards the [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(3)](C(16)SO(3))(2) form by adding additional ligand to the solution. The X-ray crystal structures of [Fe(II)(adpt)(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] and [Co(II)(adpt)(2)(CH(3)OH)(2)](C(16)SO(3))(2).1.33CH(3)OH are presented. [Fe(II)(adpt)(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] has a 2D bilayer structure with alternating layers of polar Fe(adpt)(2) centres, and hydrophobic alkyl chains. The complex cations in [Co(II)(adpt)(2)(CH(3)OH)(2)](C(16)SO(3))(2).1.33CH(3)OH form 1-D columns in the solid state. The capacity of the amphiphilic complexes [Fe(II)(pldpt)(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] and [Fe(II)(adpt)(2)(C(16)SO(3))(2)] to self-assemble has been probed at the air-water interface using Langmuir techniques. The pertinent pressure-area isotherms reveal only a low tendency of the complexes to form films.

Iron(II) tris-[N4-substituted-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole] complexes: structural, magnetic, NMR, and density functional theory studies.

Eight mononuclear iron(II) complexes of N(4)-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (Rdpt) ligands have been prepared and characterized. In all cases the iron(II)/ligand ratio used is 1:3, giving red complexes of the general formula [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(3)](BF(4))(2) x solvents, in 55-89% yield. The ligands differ only in the nature of the N(4)-substituent (amino, pyrrolyl, iso-butyl, methyl, phenyl, para-tolyl, 3,5-dichlorophenyl, and 4-pyridyl; for ligands adpt, pldpt, ibdpt, medpt, phdpt, ptdpt, Cldpt, and pydpt, respectively) allowing substituent effects on the properties of the resulting iron(II) complexes to be probed. The low temperature crystal structures of seven of the complexes reveal low spin iron(II) environments. Packing analyses reveal anion-pi and acetonitrile-pi interactions involving the tetrafluoroborate counteranions and interstitial acetonitrile molecules, respectively. Both "pi-pockets" and "pi-sandwiches" are observed. Solid state magnetic susceptibility measurements (4-300 K) indicate the iron(II) is low spin (LS) in all complexes at all temperatures studied, except for [Fe(II)(pldpt)(3)](BF(4))(2) x 1 1/2 H(2)O which has the beginnings of spin crossover (SCO) at elevated temperatures. Downfield shifts and peak broadening observed in the variable temperature (1)H NMR studies indicate that in d(3)-nitromethane solution the LS [Fe(II)(Rdpt)(3)](2+) complexes are in equilibrium with a trace of a high spin (HS) species. (15)N NMR spectra (measured and calculated) of the ligands reveal that altering the N(4)-substituent changes the chemical shift of the N(1) triazole and pyridine nitrogen atoms, allowing probing of the relationship between ligand substituent and the nature of the coordinating nitrogen atoms.