Decoding Framework Dynamics in a Spin Crossover Flexible Metal-Organic Framework

Functional spin crossover (SCO) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold promise for miniaturized spin-based devices due to their tuneable molecule-based properties near room temperature. SCO describes the phenomenon where transition metal ions switch between high spin (HS) and low spin (LS) states upon external stimuli. However, even simple guest molecules like water can significantly alter the properties of these materials. Understanding the interplay between SCO and these molecules is therefore crucial. This work investigates this interplay in a fascinating 3D Fe(II) SCO-MOF, recently reported to exhibit reversible conductivity even in bulk. A combined experimental and computational approach is employed to explore how guest molecule uptake/release influences SCO dynamics including a transition from partial HS/LS to a fully LS state at high temperatures, (named reverse SCO) and ligand disorder-order behavior. The findings reveal a solid-state mechanism that differs from those previously described.

Supramolecular Spring-Like Fe(II) Spin-Crossover Complexes Experiencing Giant and Anisotropic Thermal Expansion Across Two Distinct Temperature Regimes

Dynamic molecules with tunable chemical and physical properties in response to external stimuli hold great potential for applications in various fields such as information storage, smart molecular machines, and biomimetics. Among them, supramolecular springs and spin-crossover (SCO) complexes can both undergo visible macroscopic changes under heat or light stimulation. In this study, we synthesized a unique trinuclear Fe(II)-SCO complex, [(R-L)FeII{Au(CN)2}2] (R 1), using a chiral chelating ligand decorated with rotatable benzyl rings. The [FeAu2] trinuclear molecules form a 21-helical supramolecular chain via elastic Au ⋯ ${\cdots }$ Au contacts. Interestingly, the synergy between the multiple dynamic factors (SCO event, rotation of the rings, and flexibility in Au ⋯ ${\cdots }$ Au distance) endows the complex with multiple switchings in both magnetism and structure, as well as the most intriguing characteristic of giant and anisotropic "breathing" feature in thermal expansion within two distinct temperature regimes. Specifically, complex R 1 undergoes two hysteretic magnetic transitions: a non-spin transition between 360 and 380 K and an unsymmetric SCO transition in the region of 160-280 K, associated with a symmetry-breaking event between the non-polar and polar space groups (P212121↔P21). Both transitions are triggered/accompanied by the rotation (inward vs. outward) of the benzyl rings. Correspondingly, reversible spring-like motions of the helical chains with the helical pitches varying from 11.345140 K to 12.509280 K then back to 11.630380 K Å are observed in the two distinct temperature regimes. This work demonstrates a significant success in incorporating both SCO and spring-like motion in one system, paving the way for designing multifunctional dynamic materials for future devices.

Expanding the dimensionality of bis(tetrazolyl)alkane-based Fe(II) coordination polymers by the application of dinitrile coligands

Reactions between 1,2-di(tetrazol-2-yl)ethane (ebtz), 1,6-di(tetrazol-2-yl)hexane (hbtz) or 1,1'-di(tetrazol-1-yl)methane (1ditz) and Fe(BF4)2 in the presence of adiponitrile (ADN), glutaronitrile (GLN) or suberonitrile (SUN) resulted in the formation of coordination polymers [Fe(μ-ebtz)2(μ-ADN)](BF4)2 (1), [Fe(μ-hbtz)2(μ-ADN)](BF4)2 (2), [Fe(μ-1ditz)2(GLN)2](BF4)2·GLN (3) and [Fe(μ-1ditz)2(μ-SUN)](BF4)2·SUN (4). It was established that the application of dinitriles allows an increase in the dimensionality of the ebtz and hbtz based systems while maintaining the structure of the polymeric units characteristic of previously studied mononitrile based analogues. In 3 and 4, regardless of the type of dinitrile coligand, the motif of 2D polymeric layers constituted by 1ditz molecules remains preserved. However, the dimensionality of 1ditz based networks is governed by the coordination modes of dinitriles. 3, based on a shorter molecule of glutaronitrile, crystallizes as a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer. In this compound, dinitriles coordinate monodentately or play the role of guest molecules. The substitution of glutaronitrile with suberonitrile enables the bridging of neighboring polymeric layers, resulting in a 3D network. The intentional selection of bis(tetrazoles) and dinitriles as building blocks has led, as expected, to obtaining systems with the structure of the first coordination sphere consisting of four tetrazole rings and two axially coordinated nitrile molecules. It created the conditions required for the occurrence of thermally induced spin crossover. Magnetic measurements and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies were used for the characterization of the spin crossover properties of 1-4.

Extremely Slow Thermally-Induced Spin Crossover in the Two-Dimensional Network [Fe(bbtr)3 ](BF4 )2

Cooling [Fe(bbtr)3 ](BF4 )2 (bbtr=1,4-di(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)butane) triggers very slow spin crossover below 80 K (T1/2 ↓ =76 K). The spin crossover (SCO) is accompanied by a hysteresis loop (T1/2 ↑ =89 K). In contrast to isostructural perchlorate analogue [Fe(bbtr)3 ](ClO4 )2 in which spin crossover during cooling is preceded by phase transition at TPT =126 K in tetrafluoroborate phase transition does not occur to the beginning of spin crossover (80 K). Studies of mixed crystals [Fe(bbtr)3 ](BF4 )2(1-x) (ClO4 )2x (0.5≤x≤0.9) showed that a phase transition precedes spin crossover, however, for x≅0.46 intersection of T1/2 (x) and TPT (x) dependencies takes place. The application of pressure of 1 GPa shifts the spin crossover in [Fe(bbtr)3 ](BF4 )2 to a temperature above 270 K. High-pressure studies of neat tetrafluoroborate and perchlorate, as well as mixed crystals [Fe(bbtr)3 ](BF4 )2(1-x) (ClO4 )2x (0.1≤x≤0.9), revealed that at 295 K P1/2 value changes linearly with x indicating similar mechanism of spin crossover under elevated pressure in all systems under investigation. Variable pressure single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that in contrast to thermally induced spin crossover undergoing differently in tetrafluoroborate and perchlorate an application of high pressure removes this differentiation leading to a similar mechanism depending at first on start spin crossover and then P-3→P-1 phase transition occurs. In this report we have shown that 2D coordination polymer [Fe(bbtr)3 ](BF4 )2 (bbtr=1,4-di(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)butane) treated to date as spin crossover silent shows thermally induced spin crossover phenomenon. Spin crossover in tetrafluoroborate is extremely slow. Determination of the spin crossover curve required carrying measurement in the settle mode-cooling from 85 to 70 K took about 600 h (average velocity of change of temperature ca. 0.0004 K/min).

Pressure Tuning of Coupled Structural and Spin State Transitions in the Molecular Complex [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(phen)]

The large volume change, which accompanies the molecular spin crossover (SCO) phenomenon in some transition metal complexes, prompts frequently the coupling of the SCO with other instabilities. Understanding the driving mechanism(s) of such coupled phase transitions is not only important for fundamental reasons but also provides scope for the development of multifunctional materials. The general theoretical expectation is that the coupling has elastic origin, and the sequence of transitions can be tuned by an externally applied pressure, but dedicated experiments remain scarce. Here, we used high-pressure and low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction to investigate the high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) transitions in the molecular complexes [Fe^II(H₂B(pz)₂)₂(bipy)] and [Fe^II(H₂B(pz)₂)₂(phen)]. In the bipyridine complex, the SCO is continuous and isostructural over the whole T, P-range (100-300 K, 0-2 GPa). In the phenanthroline derivative, however, the SCO is concomitant with a symmetry-breaking transition (C2/c to P1̅). Structural analysis reveals that the coupling between the two phenomena can be tuned by external pressure from a virtually simultaneous HS_C2/c-LS_P1̅ transition to the sequence of HS_C2/c-LS_C2/c-LS_P1̅ transitions. The correlation of spontaneous strain and order parameter behaviors highlights that the "separated" transitions remain still connected via strain coupling, whereas the "simultaneous" transitions are partially split.

Guest-Induced Multistep to Single-Step Spin-Crossover Switching in a 2-D Hofmann-Like Framework with an Amide-Appended Ligand

A detailed study of the two-dimensional (2-D) Hofmann-like framework [Fe(furpy)₂Pd(CN)₄]·nG (furpy: N-(pyridin-4-yl)furan-2-carboxamide, G = H₂O,EtOH (A·H₂O,Et), and H₂O (A·H₂O)) is presented, including the structural and spin-crossover (SCO) implications of subtle guest modification. This 2-D framework is characterized by undulating Hofmann layers and an array of interlayer spacing environments─this is a strategic approach that we achieve by the inclusion of a ligand with multiple host-host and host-guest interaction sites. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies reveal an asymmetric multistep SCO for A·H₂O,Et and an abrupt single-step SCO for A·H₂O with an upshift in transition temperature of ∼75 K. Single-crystal analyses show a primitive orthorhombic symmetry for A·H₂O,Et characterized by a unique Fe^II center─the multistep SCO character is attributed to local ligand orientation. Counterintuitively, A·H₂O shows a triclinic symmetry with two inequivalent Fe^II centers that undergo a cooperative single-step high-spin (HS)-to-low-spin (LS) transition. We conduct detailed structure-function analyses to understand how the guest ethanol influences the delicate balance between framework communication and, therefore, the local structure and spin-state transition mechanism.

Discovery of Kinetic Effect in a Valence Tautomeric Cobalt-Dioxolene Complex

Two isostructural valence tautomeric (VT) complexes with different critical temperatures were prepared and fully investigated through a series of magnetic, structural, spectral, and differential scanning calorimetry evidence. The kinetic effect in the VT complex was observed for the first time through scan-rate-dependent studies and further validated by annealing tests.

Hydrogen-Bonded Cobalt(II)-Organic Framework: Normal and Reverse Spin-Crossover Behaviours

A novel hydrogen-bonded metal-organic framework (H-MOF) [Co(HL)2](DMF)1.2(H2O)2.4 (1·solv), in which L = 2,2’:6’,2”-terpyridine-5,5’-diyl biscarboxylate, was prepared. An intermolecular single H-bond between carboxy and carboxylate sites was present in this compound....

Single crystal-to-single crystal transformation - from two distinct to three distinct spin crossover centers in 2D coordination polymer [Fe(bbtr)3](CF3SO3)2

1,4-Di(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)butane (bbtr) forms a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer (1) in a reaction with iron(II) triflate. In the crystal lattice there are two crystallographically unique iron(II) ions surrounded octahedrally by a 1,2,3-triazole ring coordinated through nitrogen atoms N3. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that spin crossover for each crystallographically independent iron(II) ion proceeds at a different temperature (T_1/2(Fe1) = 201 K; T_1/2(Fe2) = 216 K), while the magnetic measurements showed that there is one step, complete thermally induced spin crossover (T_1/2 = 205 K). Complex 1 undergoes, with time, single crystal-to-single crystal transformation (SCSC) to the converted system (1c) from the R3̄ to the P6₃ space group, accompanied by significant changes in the lattice parameter c (a shortening of approximately one-third) and consequently unit cell volume. Structural transformation is associated with rebuilding of the polymeric layer as well as the anion network, which is reflected in the results of Mössbauer studies. In the polymorphic system (1c) there are three crystallographically independent iron(II) ions. The temperature dependence results for magnetic susceptibility indicated complete, one-step spin crossover very similar to that of 1; however, single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1c revealed that spin crossover for each crystallographically independent iron(II) ion occurs in a different manner, revealing three elementary stages (T_1/2(Fe1) = 200 K; T_1/2(Fe2) = 212 K, T_1/2(Fe3) = 214 K).

Spin-crossover iron(ii) long-chain complex with slow spin equilibrium at low temperatures

A mononuclear complex with long alkyl chains, [Fe^II(H₂Bpz₂)₂(C₉bpy)] (1; H₂Bpz₂ = dihydrobis(1-pyrazolyl)borate, C₉bpy = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridine), was synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies revealed that the Δ- and Λ-forms of the complex co-crystallized in the lattice asymmetric unit, while magnetic measurements unveiled that this complex underwent incomplete one-step spin crossover (SCO) with the transition completeness and temperature depending on the measurement velocity because of slow spin equilibrium. Multivariable approaches such as varying scan rate, annealing the sample, light irradiation and pressure have been adopted to effectively overcome the slow spin equilibrium and thus improve the SCO completeness.

Structural Transformations and Spin-Crossover in [FeL2 ]2+ Salts (L=4-{tert-Butylsulfanyl}-2,6-di{pyrazol-1-yl}pyridine): The Influence of Bulky Ligand Substituents

4-(tert-Butylsulfanyl)-2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (L) was obtained in low yield from a one-pot reaction of 2,4,6-trifluoropyridine with 2-methylpropane-2-thiolate and sodium pyrazolate in a 1:1:2 ratio. The materials [FeL₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ ⋅solv (1[BF₄ ]₂ ⋅solv) and [FeL₂ ][ClO₄ ]₂ ⋅solv (1[ClO₄ ]₂ ⋅solv; solv=MeNO₂ , MeCN or Me₂ CO) exhibit a variety of structures and spin-state behaviors including thermal spin-crossover (SCO). Solvent loss on heating 1[BF₄ ]₂ ⋅x MeNO₂ (x≈2.3) occurs in two steps. The intermediate phase exhibits hysteretic SCO around 250 K, involving a "reverse-SCO" step in its warming cycle at a scan rate of 5 K min^-1 . The reverse-SCO is not observed in a slower 1 K min^-1 measurement, however, confirming its kinetic nature. The final product [FeL₂ ][BF₄ ]₂ ⋅0.75 MeNO₂ was crystallographically characterized, and shows abrupt but incomplete SCO at 172 K which correlates with disorder of an L ligand. The asymmetric unit of 1[BF₄ ]₂ ⋅y Me₂ CO (y≈1.6) contains five unique complex molecules, four of which undergo gradual SCO in at least two discrete steps. Low-spin 1[ClO₄ ]₂ ⋅0.5 Me₂ CO is not isostructural with its BF₄ ^- congener, and undergoes single-crystal-to-single-crystal solvent loss with a tripling of the crystallographic unit cell volume, while retaining the P 1 ‾ space group. Three other solvate salts undergo gradual thermal SCO. Two of these are isomorphous at room temperature, but transform to different low-temperature phases when the materials are fully low-spin.

Tuning of the phase transition between site selective SCO and intermetallic ET in trimetallic magnetic cyanido-bridged clusters

A series of crystalline phases composed of trimetallic 3d-5d-5d' {Fe₉[Re(CN)₈]_6-x[W(CN)₈]_x(MeOH)₂₄}·yMeOH (x = 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (3), 4 (4) and 5 (5); y = 10-15) clusters were obtained by altering the octacyanidometalate composition. The temperature dependent studies involving SC XRD, SQUID magnetic measurements, IR spectroscopy and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed reversible phase transition with the retention of single crystal character in each congener. The transition was assisted by reversible spin-crossover (SCO) ^HSFe^II↔^LSFe^II transition at the central Fe1(ii) site for Fe₉Re₅W₁ (1), Fe₉Re₄W₂ (2), Fe₉Re₃W₃ (3) and Fe₉Re₂W₄ (4). In contrast, the tungsten-rich congener Fe₉Re₁W₅ (5) exhibited nontrivial behavior with the SCO transition being stopped halfway through the cooling process, to be completed with single electron transfer (ET) from the external Fe2(ii) center towards one of the neighboring W(v) sites. The critical temperature T_c of SCO has been systematically increased from 193 K (1) to 247 K (4). All experimental data indicate the domination of the Fe(ii)-W(v) valence states in all crystals 1-5, however, with increasing quantity of [W(CN)₈]^3- (and decreasing quantity of [Re(CN)₈]^3-), the valence equilibrium Fe(ii)-W(v) ↔ Fe(iii)-W(iv) was systematically shifted to the right, starting from congener 3. The overall electronic configuration at low temperatures and variable amounts and location of spin carriers along the whole series suggest the remarkable competition between magnetic super-exchange Fe(ii)-CN-W(v) interactions and intermolecular interactions. The observed behavior is in line with the information collected previously for the bimetallic congeners Fe₉Re₆ and Fe₉W₆, to shed light on the role of the mixed tri-metallic composition in changing the properties observed for the relevant bimetallic cyanido-bridged skeletons.

Spatiotemporal Studies of the One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer [Fe(ebtz)2 (C2 H5 CN)2 ](BF4 )2 : Tug of War between the Nitrile Reorientation Versus Crystal Lattice as a Tool for Tuning the Spin Crossover Properties*

Reaction of 1,2-di(tetrazol-2-yl)ethane (ebtz) with Fe(BF₄ )₂ ⋅6 H₂ O in different nitriles yields one-dimensional coordination polymers [Fe(ebtz)₂ (RCN)₂ ](BF₄ )₂ ⋅nRCN (n=2 for R=CH₃ (1) and n=0 for R=C₂ H₅ (2) C₃ H₇ (3), C₃ H₅ (4), CH₂ Cl (5)) exhibiting spin crossover (SCO). SCO in 1 and 3-5 is complete and occurs above 160 K. In 2, it is shifted to lower temperatures and is accompanied by wide hysteresis (T_1/2 ^↓ =78 K, T_1/2 ^↑ =123 K) and proceeds extremely slowly. Isothermal (80 K) time-resolved single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed a complex nature for the HS→LS transition in 2. An initial, slow stage is associated with shrinkage of polymeric chains and with reduction of volume at 77 % (in relation to the difference between cell volumes V_HS -V_LS ) whereas only 16 % of iron(II) ions change spin state. In the second stage, an abrupt SCO occurs, associated with breathing of the crystal lattice along the direction of the Fe-nitrile bonds, while the nitriles reorient. HS→LS switching triggered by light (808 nm) reveals the coupling of spin state and nitrile orientation. The importance of this coupling was confirmed by studies of [Fe(ebtz)₂ (C₂ H₅ CN/C₃ H₇ CN)₂ ](BF₄ )₂ mixed crystals (2 a, 2 b), showing a shift of T_1/2 to higher values and narrowing of the hysteresis loop concomitant with an increase of the fraction of butyronitrile. This increase reduces the capability of nitrile molecules to reorient. Density functional theory (DFT) studies of models of 1-5 suggest a particular possibility of 2 to adopt a low (140-145°) value of its Fe-N-C(propionitrile) angle.

Bistable spin-crossover in a new series of [Fe(BPP-R)2]2+ (BPP = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine; R = CN) complexes

Spin-crossover (SCO) active transition metal complexes are a class of switchable molecular materials. Such complexes undergo hysteretic high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) transition, and vice versa, rendering them suitable for the development of molecule-based switching and memory elements. Therefore, the search for SCO complexes undergoing abrupt and hysteretic SCO, that is, bistable SCO, is actively carried out by the molecular magnetism community. In this study, we report the bistable SCO characteristics associated with a new series of iron(ii) complexes-[Fe(BPP-CN)2](X)2, X = BF4 (1a-d) or ClO4 (2)-belonging to the [Fe(BPP-R)2]2+ (BPP = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) family of complexes. Among the complexes, the lattice solvent-free complex 2 showed a stable and complete SCO (T1/2 = 241 K) with a thermal hysteresis width (ΔT) of 28 K-the widest ΔT reported so far for a [Fe(BPP-R)2](X)2 family of complexes, showing abrupt SCO. The reproducible and bistable SCO shown by the relatively simple [Fe(BPP-CN)2](X)2 series of molecular complexes is encouraging to pursue [Fe(BPP-R)2]2+ systems for the realization of technologically relevant SCO complexes.

Thermochromic Meltable Materials with Reverse Spin Transition Controlled by Chemical Design

We report a series of meltable Fe^II complexes, which, depending on the length of aliphatic chains, display abrupt forward low-spin to high-spin transition or unprecedented melting-triggered reverse high-spin to low-spin transition on temperature rise. The reverse spin transition is perfectly reproducible on thermal cycling and the obtained materials are easily processable in the form of thin film owing to their soft-matter nature. We found that the discovered approach represents a potentially generalizable new avenue to control both the location in temperature and the direction of the spin transition in meltable compounds.

Spin transition in a ferrous chloride complex supported by a pentapyridine ligand

Ferrous chloride complexes [Fe^IIL_xCl] commonly attain a high-spin state independently of the supporting ligand(s) and temperature. Herein, we present the first report of a complete spin crossover with T_1/2 = 80 K in [Fe^II(Py5OH)Cl]⁺ (Py5OH = pyridine-2,6-diylbis[di(pyridin-2-yl)methanol]). Both spin forms of the complex are analyzed by X-ray spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

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

Parametrization of PBE+U under the D3 and D3-BJ dispersion corrections to study Fe^II and Fe^III-based Spin Crossover complexes.

Two ways of spin crossover in an iron(ii) coordination polymer associated with conformational changes of a bridging ligand

Structural phase transition in [Fe(bbtre)₃](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃CN (bbtre = 1,4-di(1-ethyl-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)butane) plays the role of a switch, allowing spin crossover to be carried out in two ways.