Synthesis and characterization of highly diluted polyanionic iron(II) spin crossover systems.

Spin crossover (SCO) complexes, through their reversible spin transition under external stimuli, can work as switchable memory materials. Here, we present a protocol for the synthesis and characterization of a specific polyanionic iron SCO complex and its diluted systems. We describe steps for its synthesis and the determination of crystallographic structure of the SCO complex in diluted systems. We then detail a range of spectroscopic and magnetic techniques employed to monitor the spin state of the SCO complex in both diluted solid- and liquid-state systems. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Galán-Mascaros et al.1.

Fine-tuning of the spin-crossover properties of Fe(III) complexes via ligand design.

Exploring the chemical space of a given ligand aiming to modulate its ligand field strength is a versatile strategy for the fine-tuning of physical properties such as the transition temperature (T1/2) of spin-crossover (SCO) complexes. The computational study presented herein aims at systematically exploring the extent to which the ligand substituent effects can modulate T1/2 in two families of Fe(III) SCO systems with a N4O2 coordination environment and at identifying the best descriptors for fast and accurate prediction of changes in T1/2 upon ligand functionalization. B3LYP* calculations show that the attachment of substituents to ß-ketoiminato fragments (L1) leads to drastic changes in T1/2, while functionalization of phenolato moieties (L2) allows for a finer degree of control over T1/2. Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) charges of the donor atoms, Hammett parameters for both para and meta-functionalization of L2, and Swain-Lupton parameters for L1 and para-functionalization of L2 have been found to be the suitable descriptors for predicting the changes in T1/2. Further analysis of the ligand-field splitting in such systems rationalizes the observed trends and shows that ligand substituents modify both the σ and π bonds between the Fe(III) center and the ligands. Thus, we provide simple yet reliable guidelines for the rational design of new SCO systems with specific values of T1/2 based on their ligand design.

Elucidating the exchange interactions in a {GdIIICuII4} propellor.

The multinucleating ligand 2,2'-(propane-1,3-diyldiimino)bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)-propane-1,3-diol] (bis-tris propane, H6L) is used in the design of a new family of 3d-4f complexes that display an unusual {LnCu4} four-blade propeller topology. We report the synthesis, structure and magnetic characterisation of [LnCu4(H4L)4](Cl)2(ClO4)·6CH3OH, where Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), La (4). Previously we have used CH3COO- and NO3- as co-ligands with bis-tris propane, but here the use of Cl- and ClO4- leads to coordination of four {Cu(H4L)} units around the central Ln ion. A magneto-structural analysis reveals that the geometrical arrangement of the Cu(II) centres defined by the H4L2- ligands controls the magnetic communication between the different metal centres. DFT calculations performed on the isotropic (Gd) and diamagnetic (La) systems 1 and 4 help to unravel the intriguing exchange interactions.

Push and Pull Effect of Methoxy and Nitro Groups Modifies the Spin-State Switching Temperature in Fe(III) Complexes.

We have explored the impact of electron-donating (methoxy) and electron-withdrawing (nitro) substituents on SalEen ligand based spin crossover (SCO) behavior of Fe(III) complexes. Thus, 3-X-substituted SalEen ligands were employed to prepare [Fe(3-X-SalEen)2]·NCSe, where X = OMe (1), H (2), and NO2 (3) (3-X-SalEen is the condensation product of 3-substituted salicylaldehyde and N-ethylethylenediamine). The characteristic spin transition temperature (T 1/2) is shown to shift to a lower temperature when an electron-donating substituent (OMe) is used and to a higher temperature when an electron-withdrawing substituent (NO2) is used. We used experimental and theoretical methods to determine the reasons for this behavior. The solid-state magnetic data revealed the transition temperatures for complexes 1, 2, and 3 to be 219, 251, and 366 K, respectively. The solution-state magnetic data also support this trend in T 1/2 values. UV-vis spectra analysis indicates that there is greater delocalization in the π-manifold of the ligand when the nitro group is the substituent. Theoretical studies through density functional theory methods suggest the methoxy substituent decreases the energy gap between the t2g and eg orbitals (explaining the lower T 1/2 value), while the nitro substituent increases the energy gap between the t2g and eg orbitals and thus increases the T 1/2 value.

Accurate calculation of spin-state energy gaps in Fe(III) spin-crossover systems using density functional methods.

Fe(III) complexes are receiving ever-increasing attention as spin crossover (SCO) systems because they are usually air stable, as opposed to Fe(II) complexes, which are prone to oxidation. Here, we present the first systematic study exclusively devoted to assess the accuracy of several exchange-correlation functionals when it comes to predicting the energy gap between the high-spin (S = 5/2) and the low-spin (S = 1/2) states of Fe(III) complexes. Using a dataset of 24 different Fe(III) hexacoordinated complexes, it is demonstrated that the B3LYP* functional is an excellent choice not only for predicting spin-state energy gaps for Fe(III) complexes undergoing spin-transitions but also for discriminating Fe(III) complexes that are either low- or high-spin in the whole range of temperatures. Our benchmark study has led to the identification of a very versatile Fe(III) compound whose SCO properties can be engineered upon changing a single axial ligand. Overall, this work demonstrates that B3LYP* is a reliable functional for screening new spin-crossover systems with tailored properties.

Controlling the spin-crossover behavior of the [Cr(indenyl)2] family via ligand functionalization.

In this work, a computational method to study the spin-crossover (SCO) behavior of the [Cr(n-Meindenyl)2] family was carried out. Using the TPSSh/Def2TZVP method with the GD3BJ dispersion correction scheme, we computed the thermochemistry and transition temperatures (T1/2) for all members of this family, which are in excellent agreement with the available experimental data. Moreover, the computed data allow us to build a model that describes the effect of functionalizing the indenyl ligand in different positions on the spin-state energy gap and transition temperature. Our results show that the C4 and C7 positions of the indenyl ligand have a greater effect on tuning the SCO properties of such complexes. The model quantitatively reproduces the DFT calculations, thus providing a powerful tool to analyze and predict the SCO properties in any member of the [Cr(n-Meindenyl)2] family.

Piano-Stool Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Delayed Cytotoxic Activity: Origin of the Lag Time.

We have recently reported a series of piano-stool ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula [RuCl2(η6-arene)(P(1-pyrenyl)R2R3)] showing excellent cytotoxic activities (particularly when R2 = R3 = methyl). In the present study, new members of this family of compounds have been prepared with the objective to investigate the effect of the steric hindrance of a bulky phosphane ligand, namely diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane (L), on exchange reactions involving the coordinated halides (X = Cl, I). Two η6-arene rings were used, i.e. η6-methyl benzoate (mba) and η6-p-cymene (p-cym), and four complexes were synthesized, namely [RuCl2(mba)(L)] (1Cl2iPr), [RuI2(mba)(L)] (1I2iPr), [RuCl2(p-cym)(L)] (2Cl2iPr), and [RuI2(p-cym)(L)] (2I2iPr). Unexpectedly, all of the complexes exhibited poor cytotoxic activities after 24 h of incubation with cells, in contrast to the related compounds previously reported. However, it was observed that aged DMSO solutions of 2I2iPr (from 2 to 7 days) exhibited better activities in comparison to freshly prepared solutions and that the activity improved over "aging" time. Thorough studies were therefore performed to uncover the origin of this lag time in the cytotoxicity efficiency. The data achieved clearly demonstrated that compounds 2I2iPr and 2Cl2iPr were undergoing a series of transformation reactions in DMSO (with higher rates for the iodido complex 2I2iPr), ultimately generating cyclometalated species through a mechanism involving DMSO as a coordinated proton abstractor. The cyclometalated complexes detected in solution were subsequently prepared; hence, pure [RuCl(p-cym)(κ2C-diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (3CliPr), [RuI(p-cym)(κ2C-diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (3IiPr), and [Ru(p-cym)(κS-dmso)(κ2C-diisopropyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)]PF6 (3dmsoiPr) were synthesized and fully characterized. Remarkably, 3CliPr, 3IiPr, and 3dmsoiPr are all very efficient cytotoxic agents, exhibiting slightly better activities in comparison to the chlorido noncyclometalated complexes [RuCl2(η6-arene)(P(1-pyrenyl)R2R3)] described in an earlier report. For comparison purposes, the iodido compounds [RuI2(mba)(dimethyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (1I2Me) and [RuI2(p-cym)(dimethyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane)] (2I2Me), bearing the less hindered dimethyl(1-pyrenyl)phosphane ligand, have also been prepared. The cytotoxic and chemical behaviors of 1I2Me and 1I2Me were comparable to those of their chlorido counterparts reported previously.

Spin-Crossover Properties of an Iron(II) Coordination Nanohoop.

Addition of the bipyridyl-embedded cycloparaphenylene nanohoop bipy[9]CPP to [Fe{H2 B(pyz)2 }] (pyz=pyrazolyl) produces the distorted octahedral complex [Fe(bipy[9]CPP){H2 B(pyz)2 }2 ] (1). The molecular structure of 1 shows that the nanohoop ligand contains a non-planar bipy unit. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate spin-crossover (SCO) behaviour with a T1/2 of 130 K, lower than that of 160 K observed with the related compound [Fe(bipy){H2 B(pyz)2 }2 ] (2), which contains a conventional bipy ligand. A computational study of 1 and 2 reveals that the curvature of the nanohoop leads to the different SCO properties, suggesting that the SCO behaviour of iron(II) can be tuned by varying the size and diameter of the nanohoop.

Electronic Control of Spin-Crossover Properties in Four-Coordinate Bis(formazanate) Iron(II) Complexes.

The transition between spin states in d-block metal complexes has important ramifications for their structure and reactivity, with applications ranging from information storage materials to understanding catalytic activity of metalloenzymes. Tuning the ligand field (ΔO) by steric and/or electronic effects has provided spin-crossover compounds for several transition metals in the periodic table, but this has mostly been limited to coordinatively saturated metal centers in octahedral ligand environments. Spin-crossover complexes with low coordination numbers are much rarer. Here we report a series of four-coordinate, (pseudo)tetrahedral Fe(II) complexes with formazanate ligands and demonstrate how electronic substituent effects can be used to modulate the thermally induced transition between S = 0 and S = 2 spin states in solution. All six compounds undergo spin-crossover in solution with T1/2 above room temperature (300-368 K). While structural analysis by X-ray crystallography shows that the majority of these compounds are low-spin in the solid state (and remain unchanged upon heating), we find that packing effects can override this preference and give rise to either rigorously high-spin (6) or gradual spin-crossover behavior (5) also in the solid state. Density functional theory calculations are used to delineate the empirical trends in solution spin-crossover thermodynamics. In all cases, the stabilization of the low-spin state is due to the π-acceptor properties of the formazanate ligand, resulting in an "inverted" ligand field, with an approximate "two-over-three" splitting of the d-orbitals and a high degree of metal-ligand covalency due to metal → ligand π-backdonation. The computational data indicate that the electronic nature of the para-substituent has a different influence depending on whether it is present at the C-Ar or N-Ar rings, which is ascribed to the opposing effect on metal-ligand σ- and π-bonding.

[Co/Fe(α-Alkyl-tpdt)2]x-: Alkyl-Substituted Cobalt and Iron Bis-dithiolenethiophenic Complexes.

Tetraphenylphosphonium salts of Co and Fe complexes with alkyl-substituted, tert-butyl (tb), and isopropyl (dp) 2,3-thiophenedithiolate (α-tpdt) ligands, namely, TPP[Co(α-tb-tpdt)2] (3), TPP2[Fe(α-tb-tpdt)2]2 (4a-b), TPP[Co(α-dp-tpdt)2] (5), and TPP[Fe(α-dp-tpdt)2] (6) were prepared and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, single crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Compound 3 and 5 are isostructural with their Au and Ni analogues with a square-planar coordination geometry. Compound 4 presents two polymorphs (4a-b) both showing a Fe(III) bisdithiolene dimerization. The magnetic susceptibility of 3 and 5 exhibits behavior dominated by antiferromagnetic interactions, with room-temperature magnetic moments of 3.40 and 3.36 µB, respectively, indicating that these square-planar Co(III) complexes assume an intermediate spin electronic configuration (S = 1) as supported by multiconfigurational and DFT calculations.

Assessment of the SCAN Functional for Spin-State Energies in Spin-Crossover Systems.

The strongly constrained and appropriately normed (SCAN) functional has been tested toward the calculation of spin-state energy differences in a data set of 20 spin-crossover (SCO) systems, ranging from d4 to d7. Results show that the SCAN functional is able to correctly predict the low-spin state as the ground state for all systems, and the energy window provided by the calculations falls in the approximate range of energies that will allow for SCO to occur. Moreover, the SCAN functional can be used in periodic boundary condition calculations, accounting for the effect of collective crystal vibrations and counterions in the thermochemistry of the spin transition. Our results validate this functional as a potential method for in silico screening of new SCO systems at both, molecular and crystal-packed levels.

Thermal spin crossover in Fe(ii) and Fe(iii). Accurate spin state energetics at the solid state.

The thermal spin crossover (SCO) phenomenon refers to an entropy-driven spin transition in some materials based on d6-d9 transition metal complexes. While its molecular origin is well known, intricate SCO behaviours are increasingly common, in which the spin transition occurs concomitantly to e.g. phase transformations, solvent absorption/desorption, or order-disorder processes. The computational modelling of such cases is challenging, as it requires accurate spin state energies in the solid state. Density Functional Theory (DFT) is the best framework, but most DFT functionals are unable to balance the spin state energies. While a few hybrid functionals perform better, they are still too expensive for solid-state minima searches in moderate-size systems. The best alternative is to dress cheap local (LDA) or semi-local (GGA) DFT functionals with a Hubbard-type correction (DFT+U). However, the parametrization of U is not straightforward due to the lack of reference values, and because ab initio parametrization methods perform poorly. Moreover, SCO complexes undergo notable structural changes upon transition, so intra- and inter-molecular interactions might play an important role in stabilizing either spin state. As a consequence, the U parameter depends strongly on the dispersion correction scheme that is used. In this paper, we parametrize U for nine reported SCO compounds (five based on FeII, 1-5 and four based on FeIII, 6-9) when using the D3 and D3-BJ dispersion corrections. We analyze the impact of the dispersion correction treatments on the SCO energetics, structure, and the unit cell dimensions. The average U values are different for each type of metal ion (FeIIvs. FeIII), and dispersion correction scheme (D3 vs. D3-BJ) but they all show excellent transferability, with mean absolute errors (MAE) below chemical accuracy (i.e. MAE <4 kJ mol-1). This enables a better description of SCO processes and, more generally, of spin state energetics, in materials containing FeII and FeIII ions.

Computational assessment on the Tolman cone angles for P-ligands.

The Tolman cone angle (θ), the par excellence descriptor of the steric measure of a phosphine, has been recomputed for a set of 119 P-ligands, including simple phosphines and phosphites, as well as bulky biaryl species often employed in catalytic processes. The computed cone angles have been obtained from three different transition metal coordination environments: linear [AuCl(P)] (θL), tetrahedral [Ni(CO)3(P)] (θT) and octahedral [IrCl3(CO)2(P)] (θO), allowing us to observe the steric behavior of the ligand when increasing the steric hindrance around the metal center. The computed cone angles have been extracted from the lowest-energy conformer geometry obtained with a combined MM/DFT methodology. A conformational screening has been done using MM, which allows us to identify the lowest energy structure of each ligand in each coordination environment. These low energy conformers have been subsequently reoptimized at the DFT theory level, from which the cone angle value can be extracted. The computed cone angles have been compared with the original Tolman cone angles, and with other steric parameters such as solid angles (Θ), percent buried volumes (%Vbur), and angular symmetric deformation coordinate (S'4). This new set of values correlates with phosphine ligand dissociation enthalpies in titanocene complexes of the general formula [Ti(2,4-C7H11)2(PR3)], and with reaction barriers in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction between [Pd-PR3] and bromobenzene, proving that this newly proposed set of cone angles can be employed to establish linear correlations between different experimental and calculated properties for systems in which phosphine ligands play a significant role.

Benchmarking Density Functional Methods for Calculation of State Energies of First Row Spin-Crossover Molecules.

A systematic study of the performance of several density functional methodologies to study spin-crossover (SCO) on first row transition metal complexes is reported. All functionals have been tested against several mononuclear systems containing first row transition metal complexes and exhibiting spin-crossover. Among the tested functionals, the hybrid meta-GGA functional TPSSh with a triple-ζ basis set including polarization functions on all atoms provides the best results across different metals and oxidation states, and its performance in both predicting the correct ground state and the right energy window for SCO to occur is quite satisfactory. The effect of some additional contributions, such as zero-point energies, relativistic effects, and intramolecular dispersion interactions, has been analyzed. The reported strategy thus expands the use of the TPSSh functional to other metals and oxidation states other than FeII, making it the method of choice to study SCO in first row transition metal complexes. Additionally, the presented results validate the potential use of the TPSSh functional for virtual screening of new molecules with SCO, or its use in the study of the electronic structure of such systems.

Solvation-Guided Design of Fluorescent Probes for Discrimination of Amyloids.

The deposition of insoluble protein aggregates in the brain is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. While their exact role in neurodegeneration remains unclear, the presence of these amyloid deposits often precedes clinical symptoms. As a result, recent progress in imaging methods that utilize amyloid-specific small molecule probes have become a promising avenue for antemortem disease diagnosis. Here, we present a series of amino-aryl cyanoacrylate (AACA) fluorophores that show a turn-on fluorescence signal upon binding to amyloids in solution and in tissue. Using a theoretical model for environmental sensitivity of fluorescence together with ab initio computational modeling of the effects of polar environment on electron density distribution and conformational dynamics, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a set of fluorophores that (1) bind to aggregated forms of Alzheimer's-related ß-amyloid peptides with low micromolar to high nanomolar affinities and (2) have the capability to fluorescently discriminate different amyloids based on differences in amino acid composition within the binding pocket through exploitation of their solvatochromic properties. These studies showcase the rational design of a family of amyloid-binding imaging agents that could be integrated with new optical approaches for the clinical diagnosis of amyloidoses, where accurate identification of the specific neurodegenerative disease could aid in the selection of a proper course for treatment.

An Unprecedented Stimuli-Controlled Single-Crystal Reversible Phase Transition of a Metal-Organic Framework and Its Application to a Novel Method of Guest Encapsulation.

The flexibility and unexpected dynamic behavior of a third-generation metal-organic framework are described for the first time. The synthetic strategy is based on the flexibility and spherical shape of dipyridyl-based carborane linkers that act as pillars between rigid Co/BTB (BTB: 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) layers, providing a 3D porous structure (1). A phase transition of the solid can be induced to generate a new, nonporous 2D structure (2) without any loss of the carborane linkers. The structural transformation is visualized by snapshots of the multistep single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Poor hydrogen bond acceptors such as MeOH, CHCl3 or supercritical CO2 induce such a 3D to 2D transformation. Remarkably, the transformation is reversible and the 2D phase 2 is further converted back into 1 by heating in dimethylformamide. The energy requirements involved in such processes are investigated using periodic density functional theory calculations. As a proof of concept for potential applications, encapsulation of C60 is achieved by trapping this molecule during the reversible 2D to 3D phase transition, whereas no adsorption is observed by straight solvent diffusion into the pores of the 3D phase.

Electronic and Steric Control of the Spin-Crossover Behavior in [(CpR)2Mn] Manganocenes.

A computational study of the spin-crossover behavior in the family [(CpR)2Mn] (R = Me, iPr, tBu) is presented. Using the OPBE functional, the different electronic and steric effects over the metal's ligand field are studied, and trends in the spin-crossover-temperature (T1/2) behavior are presented in terms of the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligand functionalization. Our calculations outlined a delicate balance between both electronic and steric effects. While an increase in the number of electron-donating groups increases the spin-crossover temperature (T1/2) to the point that the transition is suppressed and only the low-spin state is observed, steric effects play an opposite role, increasing the distance between the Cp rings, which in turns shifts T1/2 to lower values, eventually stabilizing the high-spin state. Both effects can be rationalized by exploring the electronic structure of such systems in terms of the relevant d-based molecular orbitals.

Mercurophilic interactions: a theoretical study on the importance of ligands.

In this work, a theoretical analysis of intermolecular HgHg contacts in the presence of different ligands is presented. A survey of structural databases to explore the geometrical preferences among experimental structures presenting short Hg(ii)Hg(ii) contacts reveals the main interaction topologies depending on the nature of the ligand. A benchmark study of several dispersion corrected-density functional methods is carried out to determine the optimal computational methodology for the theoretical study of such interaction. This methodology is later used in the study of several dimers of dicoordinated mercury compounds [HgX2]2 (X = Cl, Br, I, CN, CH3, CF3, SiH3, SiMe3) as well as to evaluate the stability of different interacting topologies in such dimers. It is found that, whenever possible, two mercury-containing molecules will preferentially join through intermolecular HgX donor-acceptor interactions and only ligands devoid of atoms with lone pairs available for such interactions can form dimers attached predominantly via mercurophilic interactions.

Structure of the Reduced Copper Active Site in Preprocessed Galactose Oxidase: Ligand Tuning for One-Electron O2 Activation in Cofactor Biogenesis.

Galactose oxidase (GO) is a copper-dependent enzyme that accomplishes 2e- substrate oxidation by pairing a single copper with an unusual cysteinylated tyrosine (Cys-Tyr) redox cofactor. Previous studies have demonstrated that the post-translational biogenesis of Cys-Tyr is copper- and O2-dependent, resulting in a self-processing enzyme system. To investigate the mechanism of cofactor biogenesis in GO, the active-site structure of Cu(I)-loaded GO was determined using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on this model. Our results show that the active-site tyrosine lowers the Cu potential to enable the thermodynamically unfavorable 1e- reduction of O2, and the resulting Cu(II)-O2•- is activated toward H atom abstraction from cysteine. The final step of biogenesis is a concerted reaction involving coordinated Tyr ring deprotonation where Cu(II) coordination enables formation of the Cys-Tyr cross-link. These spectroscopic and computational results highlight the role of the Cu(I) in enabling O2 activation by 1e- and the role of the resulting Cu(II) in enabling substrate activation for biogenesis.

Electronic Structure Modulation in an Exceptionally Stable Non-Heme Nitrosyl Iron(II) Spin-Crossover Complex.

The highly stable nitrosyl iron(II) mononuclear complex [Fe(bztpen)(NO)](PF6 )2 (bztpen=N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays an S=1/2↔S=3/2 spin crossover (SCO) behavior (T1/2 =370 K, ΔH=12.48 kJ mol(-1) , ΔS=33 J K(-1) mol(-1) ) stemming from strong magnetic coupling between the NO radical (S=1/2) and thermally interconverted (S=0↔S=2) ferrous spin states. The crystal structure of this robust complex has been investigated in the temperature range 120-420 K affording a detailed picture of how the electronic distribution of the t2g -eg orbitals modulates the structure of the {FeNO}(7) bond, providing valuable magneto-structural and spectroscopic correlations and DFT analysis.