Temporal evolution of the resistance genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in isolates from Equatorial Guinea during 20 years (1999 to 2019).

BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, particularly in Africa. As such, resistance to anti-malarial drugs is one of the most important problems in terms of global malaria control. This study assesses the evolution of the different resistance markers over time and the possible influence of interventions and treatment changes that have been made in Equatorial Guinea. METHODS: A total of 1223 biological samples obtained in the period 1999 to 2019 were included in the study. Screening for mutations in the pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1, and pfcrt genes was carried out by nested PCR and restriction-fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), and the study of pfk13 genes was carried out by nested PCR, followed by sequencing to determine the presence of mutations. RESULTS: The partially and fully resistant haplotypes (pfdhfr + pfdhps) were found to increase over time. Moreover, in 2019, the fully resistant haplotype was found to be increasing, although its super-resistant counterpart remains much less prevalent. A continued decline in pfmdr1 and pfcrt gene mutations over time was also found. The number of mutations detected in pfk13 has increased since 2008, when artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) were first introduced, with more mutations being observed in 2019, with two synonymous and five non-synonymous mutations being detected, although these are not related to resistance to ACT. In addition, the non-synonymous A578S mutation, which is the most frequent on the African continent, was detected in 2013, although not in the following years. CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal of the use of chloroquine (CQ) as a treatment in Equatorial Guinea has been shown to be effective over time, as wild-type parasite populations outnumber mutant populations. The upward trend observed in sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance markers suggest its misuse, either alone or in combination with artesunate (AS) or amodiaquine (AQ), in some areas of the country, as was found in a previous study conducted by this group, which allows selective pressure from SP to continue. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 540E and 581G do not exceed the limit of 50 and 10%, respectively, thus meaning that SP is still effective as an intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) in this country. As for the pfk13 gene, no mutations have been detected in relation to resistance to ACT. However, in 2019 there is a greater accumulation of non-synonymous mutations compared to years prior to 2008.

HIV diagnosis in Equatorial Guinea. Keys to reduce the diagnostic and therapeutic delay.

BACKGROUND: In Equatorial Guinea, only 54 % of people living with HIV know their HIV status. There are no confirmatory or molecular diagnostic techniques for early diagnosis or monitoring of infection in the country. Rapid diagnostic tests can induce false-positive diagnoses if used as a confirmatory technique. Our study aimed to identify the challenges of early HIV diagnosis in Equatorial Guinea by analyzing the rate of false positive diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic delays, and treatment failures among those on antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: From 2019-2022, dried blood from 341 children, adolescents and adults diagnosed in Equatorial Guinea as HIV-positive by rapid diagnostic testing, and from 54 HIV-exposed infants were collected in Bata and sent to Madrid to confirm HIV-infection by molecular (Xpert HIV-1Qual, Cepheid) and/or serological confirmatory assays (Geenius-HIV-1/2, BioRad). HIV diagnostic delay (CD4 <350cells/mm3), advanced disease at diagnosis (CD4 <200cells/mm3) and antiretroviral treatment delay and failure (viraemia >1,000RNA-HIV-1-copies/ml) were also studied after viral quantification (XpertVL HIV-1, Cepheid). RESULTS: False-positive diagnoses were identified in 5 % of analysed samples. HIV infection was confirmed in 90.5 % of previously diagnosed patients in Equatorial Guinea and 3.7 % of HIV-exposed children undiagnosed in the field. Two-thirds of each new HIV patient had delayed diagnosis, and one-third had advanced disease. Treatment delay occurred in 28.3 % of patients, being around four times more likely in adolescents/adults than children. More than half (56 %) of 232 treated patients presented treatment failure, being significantly higher in children/adolescents than in adults (82.9 %/90 % vs. 45.6 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We identified some challenges of early HIV diagnosis in Equatorial Guinea, revealing a high rate of false positive diagnoses, diagnostic/treatment delays, and treatment failures that need to be addressed. The implementation of more accurate rapid diagnostic techniques and confirmatory tests, along with improving access to care, treatment, awareness, and screening, would contribute to controlling the spread of HIV in the country.

High Drug Resistance Levels Compromise the Control of HIV Infection in Pediatric and Adult Populations in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

A lack of HIV viral load (VL) and HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa has led to an uncontrolled circulation of HIV-strains with drug resistance mutations (DRM), compromising antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study updates HIVDR data and HIV-1 variants in Equatorial Guinea (EG), providing the first data on children/adolescents in the country. From 2019−2020, 269 dried blood samples (DBS) were collected in Bata Regional Hospital (EG) from 187 adults (73 ART-naïve/114 ART-treated) and 82 children/adolescents (25 HIV-exposed-ART-naïve/57 ART-treated). HIV-1 infection was confirmed in Madrid by molecular/serological confirmatory tests and ART-failure by VL quantification. HIV-1 pol region was identified as transmitted/acquired DRM, predicted antiretroviral susceptibility (Stanfordv9.0) and HIV-1 variants (phylogeny). HIV infection was confirmed in 88.1% of the individuals and virological failure (VL > 1000 HIV-1-RNA copies/mL) in 84.2/88.9/61.9% of 169 ART-treated children/adolescents/adults. Among the 167 subjects with available data, 24.6% suffered a diagnostic delay. All 125 treated had experienced nucleoside retrotranscriptase inhibitors (NRTI); 95.2% were non-NRTI (NNRTI); 22.4% had experienced integrase inhibitors (INSTI); and 16% had experienced protease inhibitors (PI). At sampling, they had received 1 (37.6%), 2 (32%), 3 (24.8%) or 4 (5.6%) different ART-regimens. Among the 43 treated children−adolescents/37 adults with sequence, 62.8/64.9% carried viruses with major-DRM. Most harbored DRM to NNRTI (68.4/66.7%), NRTI (55.3/43.3%) or NRTI+NNRTI (50/33.3%). One adult and one child carried major-DRM to PI and none carried major-DRM to INSTI. Most participants were susceptible to INI and PI. DRM was absent in 36.2% of treated patients with VL > 1000 cp/mL, suggesting adherence failure. TDR prevalence in 59 ART-naïve adults was high (20.3%). One-half (53.9%) of the 141 subjects with pol sequence carried CRF02_AG. The observed high rate of ART-failure and transmitted/acquired HIVDR could compromise the 95-95-95-UNAIDS targets in EG. Routine VL and resistance monitoring implementation are mandatory for early detection of ART-failure and optimal rescue therapy selection ART regimens based on PI, and INSTI can improve HIV control in EG.

High drug resistance levels could compromise the control of HIV infection in paediatric and adolescent population in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: The inadequacy of HIV viraemia and resistance monitoring in Africa leads to uncontrolled circulation of HIV strains with drug resistance mutations (DRM), compromising antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectiveness. This study describes the DRM prevalence and its therapeutic impact in HIV-infected pediatric patients from Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC). METHODS: From 2016-2018, dried blood were collected from 71 HIV-infected children and adolescents under ART in two hospitals in Kinshasa for HIV-1 DRM pol analysis, predicted ARV-susceptibility by Stanford and phylogenetic characterization. RESULTS: HIV-1 sequences were recovered from 55 children/adolescents with 14 years of median-age. All had received nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI, NNRTI), 9.1% protease inhibitors (PI) and only one integrase inhibitor (INI). Despite the use of ART, 89.1% showed virological failure and 67.3% carried viruses with major-DRM to one (12.7%), two (47.3%), or three (5.5%) ARV-families. Most children/adolescents harbored DRM to NNRTI (73.5%) or NRTI (61.2%). Major-DRM to PI was present in 8.3% and minor-DRM to INI in 15%. Dual-class-NRTI+NNRTI resistance appeared in 53.1% of patients. Viruses presented high/intermediate resistance to nevirapine (72.9% patients), efavirenz (70.9%), emtricitabine/lamivudine (47.9%), rilpivirine (41.7%), etravirine (39.6%), doravidine (33.3%), zidovudine (22.9%), among others. Most participants were susceptible to INI and PI. Great diversity of variants was found, with a high rate (40%) of unique recombinants. CONCLUSION: The high DRM prevalence observed among HIV-infected children and adolescents in Kinshasa could compromise the 95-95-95-UNAIDS targets in the DRC. It also reinforces the need for routine resistance monitoring for optimal rescue therapy election in this vulnerable population to control the spread of resistant HIV in the country.

Evaluation of bias induced by viral enrichment and random amplification protocols in metagenomic surveys of saliva DNA viruses.

BACKGROUND: Viruses are key players regulating microbial ecosystems. Exploration of viral assemblages is now possible thanks to the development of metagenomics, the most powerful tool available for studying viral ecology and discovering new viruses. Unfortunately, several sources of bias lead to the misrepresentation of certain viruses within metagenomics workflows, hindering the shift from merely descriptive studies towards quantitative comparisons of communities. Therefore, benchmark studies on virus enrichment and random amplification protocols are required to better understand the sources of bias. RESULTS: We assessed the bias introduced by viral enrichment on mock assemblages composed of seven DNA viruses, and the bias from random amplification methods on human saliva DNA viromes, using qPCR and deep sequencing, respectively. While iodixanol cushions and 0.45 µm filtration preserved the original composition of nuclease-protected viral genomes, low-force centrifugation and 0.22 µm filtration removed large viruses. Comparison of unamplified and randomly amplified saliva viromes revealed that multiple displacement amplification (MDA) induced stochastic bias from picograms of DNA template. However, the type of bias shifted to systematic using 1 ng, with only a marginal influence by amplification time. Systematic bias consisted of over-amplification of small circular genomes, and under-amplification of those with extreme GC content, a negative bias that was shared with the PCR-based sequence-independent, single-primer amplification (SISPA) method. MDA based on random priming provided by a DNA primase activity slightly outperformed those based on random hexamers and SISPA, which may reflect differences in ability to handle sequences with extreme GC content. SISPA viromes showed uneven coverage profiles, with high coverage peaks in regions with low linguistic sequence complexity. Despite misrepresentation of certain viruses after random amplification, ordination plots based on dissimilarities among contig profiles showed perfect overlapping of related amplified and unamplified saliva viromes and strong separation from unrelated saliva viromes. This result suggests that random amplification bias has a minor impact on beta diversity studies. CONCLUSIONS: Benchmark analyses of mock and natural communities of viruses improve understanding and mitigate bias in metagenomics surveys. Bias induced by random amplification methods has only a minor impact on beta diversity studies of human saliva viromes.

Coordination polymers undergoing spin crossover and reversible ligand exchange in the solid.

Here we report the synthesis and characterisation of a polymer made up of a system of parallel 2-D grids of Fe(II) ions linked by [Au(CN)2]- bridges and its transformation into a new system of three interpenetrated 3-D coordination open frameworks with the NbO topology. Reversibility of this crystal-to-crystal transformation is evidenced by X-ray crystallographic data and from their spin crossover properties.

Metal dilution effects on the spin-crossover properties of the three-dimensional coordination polymer Fe(pyrazine)[Pt(CN)4].

The 1A1 left arrow over right arrow 5T2 spin transition has been investigated in the solid solutions of Fe(x)M(1-x)(pyrazine)[Pt(CN)4] (M = Ni or Co, 0 < or = x < or = 1) having a three-dimensional polynuclear structure. Both Ni and Co dilutions tend to decrease the hysteresis width and smooth the transition curves. The enthalpy (entropy) change associated with the spin transition was found to decrease from 26 kJ mol(-1) (84 J K(-1) mol(-1)) for x = 1 to 12 kJ mol(-1) (47 J K(-1) mol(-1)) for 47% Co dilution and to 15 kJ mol(-1) (54 J K(-1) mol(-1)) for 59% Ni dilution. Raman spectroscopy revealed a mixed one- and two-mode behavior in the solid solutions. For the first time, a correlation between vibrational frequencies exhibiting one-mode behavior and the entropy change, which drives the spin crossover, is established.

Supramolecular isomerism in spin crossover networks with aurophilic interactions.

Assembly of Fe(II), 3-cyanopyridine and [Au(CN)2](-) affords, in one-pot reaction, three coordination polymers that represent a genuine example of supramolecular isomerism with strong influence in the spin crossover regime of the Fe(II) ions.

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.

Cooperative thermal and optical switching of spin states in a new two-dimensional coordination polymer.

(Fe(pmd)2[Cu(CN)2]2) (pmd = pyrimidine) displays a rigid two-dimensional structure and undergoes thermal- and optical-driven spin crossover behaviour; cooperative elastic coupling between iron(II) ions in the framework induces thermal hysteresis in the HS <--> LS conversion and sigmoidal HS --> LS relaxation of the photo-induced HS state at low temperatures.

Spin-crossover behavior in cyanide-bridged iron(II)-silver(I) bimetallic 2D Hofmann-like metal-organic frameworks.

Two new series of compounds formulated {Fe(3-Xpyridine)2[Ag(CN)2]2} (X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), I (4)) and {Fe(3-Xpyridine)2[Ag(CN)2][Ag(3-Xpyridine)(CN)2]}.3-Xpy (X = Br (5), I (6)) have been synthesized and characterized. The six compounds are made up of stacking of slightly corrugated two-dimensional coordination polymers defined by sharing {Fe4[Ag(CN)2]4}n motifs. The stacking is different for the two families. In compounds 1-4 the layers are organized by pairs displaying argentophilic interactions; the Ag...Ag distance was found to be in the interval 3.0-3.3 A, while the Ag...Ag separation between two consecutive layers belonging to different pairs was found to be around 6 A. Compounds 5 and 6 are isostructural with a crystal packing defined by an almost homogeneous distribution of layers separated by around 8.3 A (referred to the Fe...Fe interlayer distance). Between the layers an uncoordinated 3-Xpyridine molecule is included. Another 3-Xpyridine molecule, which remains in the plane defined by the {Fe4[Ag(CN)2]4}n windows, coordinates one silver atom. Both series display quite different properties; at 300 K, 1-4 are pale-yellow and display similar distorted [FeN6] octahedron cores characteristic of the iron(II) ion in the high-spin state. 1 and 2 undergo a two-step (T(1)1/2 = 96 K and T(2)1/2 = 162 K) and a 50% spin transition (T1/2 = 106 K), respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 are high-spin compounds at ambient pressure. 5 and 6 are deep red in color at 300 K and undergo spin-crossover behavior at significantly higher temperatures T1/2 = 306 and 261 K, respectively.

{Fe(3CNpy)2[Cu(3CNpy)(mu-CN)2]2}: a one-dimensional cyanide-based spin-crossover coordination polymer.

A novel one-dimensional coordination polymer made up of Fe(II), 3-cyanopyridine (3CNpy), and the singular in situ formed [Cu(I)(3CNpy)(CN)2]- anionic bridge has been synthesized. This compound undergoes a spin-crossover behavior according to its magnetic and calorimetric properties. The crystal structure of the title compound has been studied in the high- and low-spin states and correlated with the character of the spin conversion. Evidence for intense spin-state-dependent Cu....Cu interactions between the chains is also reported.

Influence of the counterion and the solvent molecules in the spin crossover system [Co(4-terpyridone)2]Xp.nH2O.

A series of new complexes belonging to the [Co(4-terpyridone)2]X(p) x nS family (4-terpyridone = 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-4(1H)-pyridone) have been synthesized and characterized, using X-ray single crystal determination and magnetic susceptibility studies, to be X = [BF4]- (p = 2) and S = H2O for polymorphs 1 and 2, X = [BF4]- (p = 1) and [SiF6]2- (p = 0.5) and S = CH(3)OH for 3, X = [SiF6]2- (p = 1) and S = 3CH3OH and H2O for 4, X = [Co(NCS)4]2- (p = 1) and S = 0.5CH3OH for 5, X = I- (p = 2) and S = 5H2O for 6, X = [PF6]- (p = 1) for 7, and X = [NO3]- (p = 2) for 8. Compounds 1-7 can be grouped in three sets according to the space group in which they crystallize: (i) P1 triclinic (1, 3), (ii) P2(1) monoclinic (2), and (iii) P2(1)/c monoclinic (4-7). The tridentate 4-terpyridone ligands coordinate the Co(II) ions in a mer fashion defining essentially tetragonally compressed [CoN6] octahedrons. The Co-N axial bonds involving the pyridone rings are markedly shorter than the Co-N equatorial bonds collectively denoted as Co-N(central) and Co-N(distal), respectively. The differences in the average Co-N(central) or Co-N(distal) distances observed for 1-7 reflect the different spin states of Co(II). Complexes 7 and 4' are fully high spin (HS), while 5 and 6 are low spin (LS). However, the counterion [Co(NCS)4]2- in complex 5 is high spin. Complexes 1, 2, 3, and 8 exhibit spin-crossover behavior in the 400-100 K temperature region. Compounds 1 and 2 are polymorphs, and interestingly, 1 irreversibly transforms into 2 above 340 K because of a crystallographic phase transition which involves a drastic modification of the crystal packing. The relevant thermodynamic parameters associated with the spin transition of polymorph 2 have been estimated using the regular solution theory leading to DeltaH = 3.04 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS = 20 J K(-1) mol(-1), and Gamma = 0.95 kJ mol(-1).

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.

A singular noninterpenetrating coordination polymer with the Pt3O4 structure containing naked [Na+]4 units.

The homoleptic low-spin complex [Fe(L)3]2+ where L is the bisbidentate ligand 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione, coordinates Na+ ions via exo-oriented dione groups defining a three-dimensional cationic network {[Fe(L)3]4Na3}11+}n with Pt3O4 topology. The large volume generated by the network is filled with 11 perchlorate ions, 7 "NaClO4" ionic pairs, and 9 H2O molecules. Singular [Na+]4 units, in which the Na+ ions are practically uncoordinated, are formed.

Architectural isomerism in the three-dimensional polymeric spin crossover system [Fe(pmd)2[Ag(CN)2]2]: synthesis, structure, magnetic properties, and calorimetric studies.

Two coordination polymers formulated [Fe(pmd)2[Ag(CN)2]2] (pmd = pyrimidine) have been synthesized and characterized. Both polymers, considered to be architectural isomers, display different crystal structures and magnetic properties. Isomer 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group with a = 6.9750(8) angstroms, b = 16.1700(9) angstroms, c = 14.2020(8) angstroms, beta = 97.954(2) degrees, V = 1586.37(14) angstroms3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure of isomer 2 has been studied at 250 and 150 K. At both temperatures, 2 displays the orthorhombic Pccn space group with a = 15.7700(2) [14.8950(2)] angstroms, b = 8.2980(4) [8.1580(4)] angstroms, c = 13.4180(6) [13.3480(5)] angstroms, V = 1755.87(14) [1621.96(10)] angstroms3, and Z = 4 for 250 [150] K. The iron(II) ions define distorted octahedral [FeN6] chromophores in both isomers. The equatorial positions are occupied by four [Ag(CN)2]- bridging ligands, which connect the defining layers of two iron(II) ions. Isomer 1 has two crystallographically distinct [Ag(CN)2]- groups; one is essentially linear, while the other is severely distorted [C(5)-Ag(2)-C(5i)] = 138.8(5) degrees. This fact facilitates the parallel interpenetration of two layers, which in addition show short Ag(1)....Ag(2) interactions (distance Ag(1)....Ag(2) = 2.9972(10) angstroms). Isomer 2 shows only one type of Ag atom, which is slightly bent [C-Ag-C = 161.54(12) degrees], and as a consequence, the layers defined are not interpenetrated. In both cases, the axial positions are occupied by the pmd ligands which interact with the Ag atoms of adjacent layers defining a 3D coordination polymer. Compound 1 is high spin in the whole range of temperatures, while 2 undergoes a cooperative high-spin <--> low-spin effect centered at ca. 184 K with a hysteresis loop ca. 5 K wide. The experimental enthalpy and entropy variations were 11.5 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1) and 64 +/- 3 J K(-1) mol(-1). Consistency between the experimental thermodynamic data and the magnetic data was checked in the frame of regular solution theory.

Thermal- and photoinduced spin-state switching in an unprecedented three-dimensional bimetallic coordination polymer.

The compound {Fe(pmd)[Ag(CN)2][Ag2(CN)3]} (pmd=pyrimidine) was synthesized and characterized. Magnetic, calorimetric and single crystal visible spectroscopic studies demonstrate the occurrence of a two-step high-spin (HS) right arrow over left arrow low-spin (LS) transition. The critical temperatures are T(c1)=185 and T(c2)=148 K. Each step involves approximately 50 % of the iron centers, with the low-temperature step showing a hysteresis of 2.5 K. The enthalpy and entropy variations associated with the two steps are DeltaH(1)=3.6+/-0.4 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS(1)=19.5+/-3 J K(-1) mol(-1); DeltaH(2)=4.8+/-0.4 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS(2)=33.5+/-3 J K(-1) mol(-1). Photomagnetic and visible spectroscopy experiments show that below 50 K, where the LS state is the thermodynamically stable state, the compound can be switched quantitatively to the HS state using green-red light (550-650 nm). HS-to-LS relaxation experiments in the dark at temperatures between 15 and 55 K show that the relaxation takes place via a two-step cooperative process, which was analyzed in the context of the mean field theory. The crystal structure has been studied at 290, 220, 170, 90 and 30 K together with 30 K after irradiation. The compound adopts monoclinic symmetry (P2(1)/c, Z=16) at all temperatures. There are five [FeN6] pseudo-octahedral sites linked by pmd, [Ag(CN)2]- and [Ag2(CN)3]- bridging ligands to form an unprecedented three-dimensional (6,6) topology. The structural analysis allows for an understanding of the microscopic mechanism of the two-step behavior of the thermally induced spin transition as well as the corresponding relaxation of the photoexcited compound based on the individual changes of the five sites. Synergy between metallophilic interactions and the spin transition is also shown by the variation of the AgAg distances. Correlations between the variation of the unit-cell volume and the change of AgAg interactions within each step with the asymmetric change of the anomalous heat capacity have also been inferred.

Synergy between spin crossover and metallophilicity in triple interpenetrated 3D nets with the NbO structure type.

Self-assembly of [Ag(CN)2]-, 3-cyanopyridine, and iron(II) gives triple interpenetration of three-dimensional spin crossover (SCO) networks with the NbO topology, which interact each other via argentophilic interactions. Superposition of the networks along the c-axis defines an infinite mosaic of trigonal and hexagonal cross-sectional tubes where water molecules are installed. The structural changes associated with the SCO tune the homoatomic interactions and induce an uncommon change of the lattice volume.