Rational design of a photomagnetic chain: bridging single-molecule magnets with a spin-crossover complex.

The spin-crossover complex [Fe(LN5)(CN)2]·H2O (1, LN5 = 2,13-dimethyl-3,6,9-12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-pentaene), reported previously by Nelson et al. in 1986, was reinvestigated, and its structure determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction for the first time. The reaction between [Mn(III)(saltmen)(H2O)](+) and this photomagnetic linker yielded the trinuclear molecular complex [{Mn(saltmen)}2FeHS(LN5)(CN)2](ClO4)2·0.5CH3OH (2) and the one-dimensional compound [{Mn(saltmen)}2FeLS(LN5)(CN)2](ClO4)2·0.5C4H10O·0.5H2O (3) depending on the addition order of the reagents (HS: High-Spin; LS: Low-Spin). Compound 3 exhibits a wave-shaped chain structure built from the assembly of the trinuclear [Mn(III)-NC-Fe(II)] motif found in 2. Static magnetic measurements revealed the existence of antiferromagnetic Mn(III)···Fe(II) (Fe(II) HS, S = 2) interactions in the trinuclear entity of 2 via the cyanido bridge leading to an ST = 2 ground state. In the case of 3, concomitant ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions are found along the chain due to the presence of two crystallographically independent {Mn2(saltmen)2} units, which behave differently as shown by the magnetic susceptibility analysis, while the Fe(II) (LS, S = 0) cyanido-bridging moiety is isolating these dinuclear Mn(III) units. ac susceptibility experiments indicated slow relaxation of the magnetization arising from the ferromagnetically coupled [Mn2] units (τ0 = 1.1 × 10(-7) s and Δ(eff)/k(B) = 13.9 K). Optical reflectivity and photomagnetic properties of 1 and 3 have been investigated in detail. These studies reveal that the photomagnetic properties of 1 are kept after its coordination to the acceptor Mn(III)/saltmen complexes, allowing in 3 to switch "on" and "off" the magnetic interaction between the photoinduced Fe(II) HS unit (S = 2) and the Mn(III) ions. To the best of our knowledge, the compound 3 represents the first example of a coordination network of single-molecule magnets linked by spin-crossover units inducing thermally and photoreversible magnetic and optical properties.

Seeking hidden magnetic phenomena by theoretical means in a thiooxoverdazyl adduct.

The oxidation of 1,5-dimethyl-3-(2'-pyridyl)-6-thiooxotetrazane (SvdH(3) py) by benzoquinone leads to a 1:1 adduct of 1,5-dimethyl-3-(2'-pyridyl)-6-thiooxoverdazyl radical (Svdpy) with hydroquinone (hq). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction of this adduct at room temperature (RT) shows that the radicals exhibit a slight curvature that leads to the formation of alternating head-to-tail (antiparallel) stacked 1D chains. Moreover, temperature-dependent X-ray measurements at 100, 200, and 303 K reveal that the lateral slippages between the radicals of the stacks |δ(1) | and |δ(2) | vary from 0.64 to 0.78 Šand 0.54 to 0.40 Šbetween 100 and 303 K. Despite the alternation of the inter-radical distances and lateral slippages, the magnetic susceptibility data can be fitted with excellent agreement using a regular one-dimensional antiferromagnetic chain model with J=-5.9 cm(-1). Wavefunction-based calculations indicate an alternation of the magnetic interaction parameters correlated with the structural analysis at RT. Moreover, they demonstrate that the thermal slippage of the radicals induces a switching of the physical behavior, since the exchange interaction changes from antiferromagnetic (-0.9 cm(-1)) at 100 K to ferromagnetic (1.4 cm(-1)) at 303 K. The theoretical approach thus reveals a much richer magnetic behavior than the analysis of the magnetic susceptibility data and ultimately questions the relevance of a spin-coupled picture based on temperature-independent parameters.

Nanoscale self-hosting of molecular spin-states in the intermediate phase of a spin-crossover material.

A new spin-crossover (SC) complex [Fe(II)H(2)L(2-Me)][AsF(6)](2) has been synthesized, in which H(2)L(2-Me) denotes the chirogenic hexadentate N(6) Schiff-base ligand bis{[(2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene]-3-aminopropyl}ethylenediamine. This complex has revealed a rich variety of phases during its two-step thermal crossover, as well as photoinduced spin-state switching. A high-symmetry high-spin (HS, S=2) phase, a low-symmetry low-spin (LS, S=0) phase, an intermediate phase characterized by an unprecedented lozenge pattern of 12 predominantly HS molecular crystallographic sites confining 18 predominantly LS molecular crystallographic sites, and a photoinduced low-symmetry HS phase have been accurately evidenced by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and crystallographic studies. This variety of phases illustrates the multi-stability of this system, which results from coupling between the electronic states and structural instabilities.

Face-sharing heterotrinuclear M(II)-Ln(III)-M(II) (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Zn; Ln = La, Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties.

Trinuclear linear 3d-4f-3d complexes (3d = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and 4f = La(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III)) were prepared by using a tripodal nonadentate Schiff base ligand, N,N',N''-tris(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzilidene)-2-(aminomethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-propanediamine. The structural determinations showed that in these complexes two distorted trigonal prismatic transition metal complexes of identical chirality are assembled through 4f cations. The Mn and Fe entities crystallize in the chiral space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) as pure enantiomers; the cobalt complexes exhibit a less straightforward behavior. All Mn, Fe, and Co complexes experience M(II)-Ln(III) ferromagnetic interactions. The Mn-Gd interaction is weak (0.08 cm(-1)) in comparison to the Fe-Gd (0.69 cm(-1)) and Co-Gd (0.52 cm(-1)) ones while the single ion zero field splitting (ZFS) term D is larger for the Fe complexes (5.7 cm(-1)) than for the cobalt ones. The cobalt complexes behave as single-molecules magnets (SMMs) with large magnetization hysteresis loops, as a consequence of the particularly slow magnetic relaxation characterizing these trinuclear molecules. Such large hysteresis loops, which are observed for the first time in Co-Ln complexes, confirm that quantum tunnelling of the magnetization does not operate in the Co-Gd-Co complex.

Enhanced ion anisotropy by nonconventional coordination geometry: single-chain magnet behavior for a [{Fe(II)L}2{Nb(IV)(CN)8}] helical chain compound designed with heptacoordinate Fe(II).

Nonconventional heptacoordination in combination with efficient magnetic exchange coupling is shown to yield a 1-D heteronuclear {Fe(II)Nb(IV)} compound with remarkable magnetic features when compared to other Fe(II)-based single chain magnets (SCM). Cyano-bridged heterometallic {3d-4d} and {3d-5d} chains are formed upon assembling Fe(II) bearing a pentadentate macrocycle as the blocking ligand with octacyano metallates, [M(CN)(8)](4-) (M = Nb(IV), Mo(IV), W(IV)). X-ray diffraction (single-crystal and powder) measurements reveal that the [{(H(2)O)Fe(L(1))}{M(CN)(8)}{Fe(L(1))}](infinity) architectures consist of isomorphous 1-D polymeric structures based on the alternation of {Fe(L(1))}(2+) and {M(CN)(8)}(4-) units (L(1) stands for the pentadentate macrocycle). Analysis of the magnetic susceptibility behavior revealed cyano-bridged {Fe-Nb} exchange interaction to be antiferromagnetic with J = -20 cm(-1) deduced from fitting an Ising model taking into account the noncollinear spin arrangement. For this ferrimagnetic chain a slow relaxation of its magnetization is observed at low temperature revealing a SCM behavior with Delta/k(B) = 74 K and tau(0) = 4.6 x 10(-11) s. The M versus H behavior exhibits a hysteresis loop with a coercive field of 4 kOe at 1 K and reveals at 380 mK magnetic avalanche processes, i.e., abrupt reversals in magnetization as H is varied. The origin of these characteristics is attributed to the combination of efficient {Fe-Nb} exchange interaction and significant anisotropy of the {Fe(L(1))} unit. High field EPR and magnetization experiments have revealed for the parent compound [Fe(L(1))(H(2)O)(2)]Cl(2) a negative zero field splitting parameter of D approximately = -17 cm(-1). The crystal structure, magnetic behavior, and Mossbauer data for [Fe(L(1))(H(2)O)(2)]Cl(2) are also reported.

An unprecedented co-crystal including a cis-high-spin and a trans-low-spin FeII complex molecule.

Two structurally and magnetically nonequivalent isomeric molecules, a cis-high-spin and a trans-low-spin isomer constitute the unit cell of a new iron(II) complex {cis-[FeL(B5)(NCS)(2)].trans-[FeL(B5)(NCS)(2)]}.CH(3)OH, , (L(B5) = N,N'-bis((2-N-methylimidazol-1-yl)methylene))-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine); the synthesis, X-ray structure, and magnetic and Mössbauer study of this unique example of co-crystallised geometric, conformational and electronic isomers are reported.

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

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

A range of spin-crossover temperature T1/2>300 K results from out-of-sphere anion exchange in a series of ferrous materials based on the 4-(4-imidazolylmethyl)-2-(2-imidazolylmethyl)imidazole (trim) ligand, [Fe(trim)2]X2 (X=F, Cl, Br, I): comparison of experimental results with those derived from density functional theory calculations.

The synthesis and characterization of [FeII(trim)2]Cl2 (2), [FeII(trim)2]Br2MeOH (3), and [FeII(trim)2]I2MeOH (4), including the X-ray crystal structure determinations of 2 (50 and 293 K) and 4 (293 K), have been performed and their properties have been examined. In agreement with the magnetic susceptibility results, the Mössbauer data show the presence of high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) crossover with a range of T1/2 larger than 300 K (from approximately 20 K for [FeII(trim)2]F2 (1) to approximately 380 K for 4). All complexes in this series include the same [Fe(trim)2]2+ complex cation: the ligand field comprises a constant contribution from the trim ligands and a variable one originating from the out-of-sphere anions, which is transmitted to the metal center by the connecting imidazole rings and hydrogen bonds. The impressive variation in the intrinsic characteristics of the spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon in this series is then interpreted as an inductive effect of the anions transmitted to the nitrogen donors through the hydrogen bonds. Based on this qualitative analysis, an increased inductive effect of the out-of-sphere anion corresponds to a decreased SCO temperature T1/2, in agreement with the experimental results. Electronic structure calculations with periodic boundary conditions have been performed that show the importance of intermolecular effects in tuning the ligand field, and thus in determining the transition temperature. Starting with the geometries obtained from the X-ray studies, the [FeII(trim)2]X2 complex molecules 1-4 have been investigated both for the single molecules and the crystal lattices with the local density approximation of density functional theory. The bulk geometries of the complex cations deduced from the X-ray studies and those calculated are in fair agreement for both approaches. However, the trend observed for the transition temperatures of 1-4 disagrees with the trend for the spin-state splittings ES (difference EHS-ELS between the energy of the HS and LS isomers) calculated for the isolated molecules, whereas it agrees with the trend for ES calculated with periodic boundary conditions. The latter calculations predict the strongest stabilization of the HS state for the fluoride complex, which actually is essentially HS above T=50 K, while the most pronounced stabilization of the LS state is predicted for 4, in line with the experimental results.

Complexation to Fe(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) of multidentate ligands resulting from condensation of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde with alpha,omega-triamines: selective imidazolidine/hexahydropyrimidine ring opening revisited.

The condensation reaction between 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and diethylenetriamine, 3-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]propylamine, and 3,3'-iminobis(propylamine) in a 2:1 molar ratio yields ligands that may be isolated exclusively in the dissymmetric (cyclic) isomeric forms L(A), L(B)/L(B*), and L(C). The template effect of a metal center (Fe(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II)) results in the ring opening of L(C) including one hexahydropyrimidine ring and one (long) propylene bridge. The resulting symmetric bis-Schiff base isomeric form L(C') is stabilized through pentacoordination, yielding [Fe(II)L(C')(NCS)](NCS) (3), [Ni(II)L(C')(NCS)](NCS) (6), and [Zn(II)L(C')(NCS)](NCS) (9). The same metal centers are too bulky to exert a template effect on L(A) including one imidazolidine ring and one (short) ethylene bridge. L(A) acts as a tetradentate ligand yielding [Fe(II)L(A)(NCS)2] (1), [Ni(II)L(A)(NCS)2] (4), and [Zn(II)L(A)(NCS)2] (7). The template effect of the metal center is selective toward the ligand L(B)/L(B*) including a hexahydropyrimidine (imidazolidine) ring and the shorter ethylene (longer propylene) bridge. The Fe(II) cation is small enough to exert a template effect, resulting in the ring opening of L(B)/L(B*). The resulting bis-Schiff base L(B') is stabilized through pentacoordination, yielding [Fe(II)L(B')(NCS)](NCS) (2). Ni(II) is too bulky to promote the ring opening of L(B)/L(B*): L(B) acts as a tetradentate ligand, yielding [Ni(II)L(B)(NCS)2] (5) (the L(B*) isomer is totally converted to L(B)). The coordinative requirements and stereochemical preference of the bulkier Zn(II) cation allow neither the ring opening of L(B)/L(B*) nor the tetracoordination of L(B) or L(B*) but stabilize the novel tetradentate dissymmetric form L(B degrees) in [Zn(II)L(B degrees)(NCS)2].H2O (8) (L(B degrees) results from MeOH addition across the imine bond of L(B)). Density functional theory calculations performed for Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the L(B)/L(B*)/L(B degrees) set of ligands allowed one to compare the relative stabilities of all possible isomers, showing that the most stable ones correspond to those experimentally obtained: isomerization, or methanol addition across the imine bond, of the tetradentate ligand depends on the relative stabilities of all possible isomeric complexes.

A 2D layered spin crossover complex constructed by NH...Cl- hydrogen bonds: [FeIIH3LMe]Cl.I3 (H3LMe = tris[2-(((2-methylimidazoyl-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine.

A 2D layered spin crossover complex, [FeIIH3L(Me)]Cl.I3, has been synthesized from the reaction of FeIIICl3, a tripod ligand (H3LMe = tris[2-(((2-methylimidazoyl-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine), and NaI in methanol. The compound showed an abrupt spin transition between the HS (S = 2) and LS (S = 0) states at T(1/2) = 110 K without hysteresis. The crystal structures of the HS and LS states were determined at 180 and 90 K. A 2D layered structure is composed of NH...Cl- hydrogen bonds between the Cl- ion and three neighboring imidazole groups of [FeIIH3LMe]2+. The green light irradiation at 5 K induced the LIESST effect, and the thermal relaxation process from the HS to LS state showed a sigmoid curve at T > 55 K.

High-spin to low-spin relaxation kinetics in the [Fe(TRIM)2]Cl2 complex.

A quasi-quantitative photo-induced low-spin (LS)-->high-spin (HS) conversion of FeII ions has been observed in the [Fe(TRIM)2]Cl2 complex by irradiating the sample with blue light (488 nm) at 10 K. The time dependence of the HS-->LS relaxation has been studied between 10 K and 44 K by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements. These relaxation curves could be satisfactorily fitted by mono-exponential decays including tunnelling effect except for temperatures below 30 K. The introduction of a distribution of vibrational frequencies into this model improved significantly the fits in the low-temperature range and gave a good agreement with the experimental data in the whole temperature range suggesting a multi-rate relaxation process in this complex.

An unprecedented trinuclear structure involving two high-spin and one spin-crossover iron(II) centers.

Anaerobic reaction of ferrous thiocyanate with the deprotonated form of the pentadentate dinucleating Schiff base 1,3-bis[(2-pyridylmethyl)imino]propan-2-ol (LH) yields the novel trinuclear [Fe3L2(NCS)4(H2O)] species 1. LH results from the bis-condensation of 2-acetyl-pyridine with 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol and includes an N4O donor set. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 [C38H40N12O3S4Fe3, triclinic, space group P-1; a = 10.7730(10) angstroms, b = 12.2048(14) angstroms, c = 19.0559(19) angstroms, alpha = 76.908(12) degrees, beta = 89.106(12) degrees, gamma = 79.637(12) degrees, V = 2399.8(4) angstroms3] can be described either as a bent linear arrangement of ferrous centers pairwise bridged through the alkoxo oxygen atom of L- or as a triangular FeII3 core with an Fe2-SCN-Fe3 bridge as the longer side of the Fe1-Fe2-Fe3 triangle. The metric parameters characterizing the ligand environments of the three ferrous centers in 1 and its Mössbauer spectra show that this unprecedented trinuclear structure involves two high-spin (Fe2 and Fe3) and one spin-crossover (Fe1) FeII centers. The donor set to the spin-crossover center (Fe1) is unprecedented: two Npyridine, two Nimine, and two Oalkoxo. Weak antiferromagnetic interactions transmitted through the end-to-end NCS bridge and/or through the O1-Fe1-O2 bridge operate between Fe2 and Fe3.