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Microtransfer molding has been used to fabricate homogeneous micropatterns and nanopatterns of spin crossover nanoparticles of [Fe(NH(2)trz)](tos)(2) over a large area. We show that the use of an aprotic solvent (n-octane) may lead to successful results. Very well organized micropatterns are obtained, showing spin crossover phenomenon. Dark field optical and AFM images and Raman microspectrometry results are reported.

The synthesis and detailed characterization of the new spin crossover (SCO) binuclear complex [{Fe(dpia)(NCS)(2)}(2)(4,4'-bpy)] (1; dpia=di(2-picolyl)amine, 4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) are reported. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show a relatively cooperative two-step spin transition suggesting the occurrence of three spin-state isomers: [HS-HS], [HS-LS], and [LS-LS] (HS: high spin, LS: low spin). A short plateau at 204 K separates the two steps and conforms with about 50% of the complexes having undergone a thermal spin conversion. Routine Mössbauer spectroscopy without applying a magnetic field clearly separates four iron(II) one-center spin states in three [HS-HS], [HS-LS], and [LS-LS] pairs and unambiguously confirms that the spin transition at the plateau temperature goes through the intermediate [HS-LS] state. The single-crystal X-ray structure was solved for three spin isomers at 293, 208, and 120 K. The structural study at the plateau temperature was unable to resolve the HS and LS sites in the [HS-LS] pair and only an average Fe-N bond length was obtained, which suggests that there is an intermediate [HS-LS] phase. The structural analysis at three temperatures revealed a dense three-dimensional network of both intra- and intermolecular interactions. The relative energies of the three spin-state isomers were evaluated by quantum-chemical DFT calculations. Comparison of compound 1 with previously known analogues, as well as the overall analysis of structural data for numerous binuclear complexes, allowed a conclusion to be reached on the crucial role of ligand strain effects in the SCO behavior of binuclear complexes. The suggested intramolecular mechanism explains the different types of SCO observed in binuclear complexes: one-step, two-step, and partial (50%) transitions.

A new iron(III) coordination compound exhibiting a two-step spin-transition behavior with a remarkably wide [HS-LS] plateau of about 45 K has been synthesized from a hydrazino Schiff-base ligand with an N,N,O donor set, namely 2-methoxy-6-(pyridine-2-ylhydrazonomethyl)phenol (Hmph). The single-crystal X-ray structure of the coordination compound {[Fe(mph)(2)](ClO(4))(MeOH)(0.5)(H(2)O)(0.5)}(2) (1) determined at 150 K reveals the presence of two slightly different iron(III) centers in pseudo-octahedral environments generated by two deprotonated tridentate mph ligands. The presence of hydrogen bonding interactions, instigated by the well-designed ligand, may justify the occurrence of the abrupt transitions. 1 has been characterized by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements, EPR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and (57)Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy, which all confirm the occurrence of a two-step transition. In addition, the iron(III) species in the high-spin state has been trapped and characterized by rapid cooling EPR studies.

The two-step spin crossover of a new mononuclear iron(ii) complex is studied by magnetic, crystallographic and calorimetric methods revealing two successive first-order phase transitions and an ordered intermediate phase built by the repetition of the unprecedented [HS-LS-LS] motif.

A series of thin films of Prussian blue analogues is investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Fe, Co and Mn L(2,3)-edges. The ligand field multiplet theory enables us to examine accurately the electronic structure of these materials. Experimental XAS spectra of CoFe Prussian blue analogues are successfully reproduced using a ground state configuration including metal-to-ligand (MLCT) and ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) at the Co and Fe L(2,3)-edges. In particular, a huge improvement is achieved for satellite peaks at the Co(iii) L(2,3)-edges compared to previous calculations in the literature based on LMCT effects only. On the other hand, XAS spectra of MnFe analogues synthesized for the first time, can be reproduced conveniently by taking into account either MLCT or LMCT depending on the conditions of the sample preparation. For each thin film, the proportion of the different oxidation states of Co, Fe and Mn is evaluated. Unexpectedly, this analysis reveals the presence of a significant amount of a reduced phase, which turns out to be strongly dependent on the sample synthesis and storage conditions.

We report here on the synthesis and characterisation of a first iron(II) spin-crossover coordination polymer with the dca spacer ligand, having the formula [Fe(aqin)2(dca)]ClO4.MeOH (aqin=8-aminoquinoline, dca=dicyanamide), which displays a two-step complete spin transition. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy have revealed that the two relatively gradual steps are centred at 215 and 186 K and are separated by an inflection point at about 201 K, at which 50 % of the complex molecules undergo a spin transition. The two steps are related to the existence of two crystallographically inequivalent metal sites, as confirmed by the structural and Mössbauer studies. The crystal structure was resolved at 293 K (HS form) and 130 K (LS form). Both spin-state structures belong to the triclinic P1 space group (Z=2). The complex assumes a linear chain structure, in which the active iron(II) sites are linked to each other by anionic dicyanamide ligands acting as chemical bridges. The Fe-Fe distances through the dca ligand are 8.119(1) and 7.835(1) A in the high-spin and low-spin structures, respectively. The polymeric chains extend along a (1, 0, -1) axis and are packed in sheets, between which the perchlorate anions and methanol molecules are inserted. The complex molecules are linked together by pi-stacking interactions and H-bonding between the H-donor aqin ligands and the perchlorate ions. These structural features provide a basis for cooperative interactions in the crystal lattice. Analysis of the two-step spin-crossover character in this compound suggests that covalent interactions through the spacer ligand do not provide the main mechanism of cooperativity.

A quantum chemical study of the Fe[5-NO2-sal-(1,4,7,10)] ((1,10-bis(5-nitrosalicylaldehyde)-1,4,7,10-tetra-ezdecane-O,O',N,N',N' ',N' '')iron(II)) molecule was performed using density functional theory (DFT). Starting from the different X-ray crystallographic structures, geometry optimizations have been performed. These calculations confirmed the conformational isomerism of this complex in each spin states of the molecule ((1)A(1g) and (5)T(2g)). Each employed DFT method (B3LYP, B3LYP*, BP86, HCTH407) reproduced correctly the structural differences between the two calculated conformers when compared to the experimental structures. Furthermore, electronic polarizabilities have been calculated in each spin state and for each conformer. These calculations revealed a higher polarizability in the singlet state in agreement with the measured higher dielectric constant in this state.

The paper reports the synthesis and detailed characterization of two new Fe(II) compounds: [Fe(pyim)(2)(bpen)](ClO(4))(2).2C(2)H(5)OH (2) and [Fe(pyim)(2)(bpe)](ClO(4))(2).C(2)H(5)OH (3) (pyim = 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole, bpen = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, and bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene). Both compounds and the earlier synthesized [Fe(pyim)(2)(bpy)](ClO(4))(2).2C(2)H(5)OH (1) (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) form a family of one-dimensional spin crossover coordination polymers. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy have revealed rather gradual spin transitions centered at 176 and 198 K for 2 and 3, respectively. The fitting of magnetic properties with the regular solution model leads to the enthalpy and entropy of spin transitions and the cooperativity parameter equal to DeltaH = 12.3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS = 68.5 J mol(-1) K(-1), Gamma = 1.80 kJ mol(-1) for 2 and DeltaH = 13.6 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS = 68.1 J mol(-1) K(-1), Gamma = 2.05 kJ mol(-1) for 3. The crystal structures of 2 and 3, resolved by X-ray diffraction at 293 K, belong to the monoclinic space group C2/c (Z = 4). Both compounds display a one-dimensional infinite zigzag-chain structure. The polymer chains are stacked into two-dimensional sheets through intermolecular pi-interactions. The crystal packing of both compounds encloses two kinds of channels in which the counter ions and ethanol molecules are inserted. The DFT calculations of binuclear fragments extracted from three polymers resulted in the energy gaps between the LS and HS states being ordered as the observed transition temperatures. The influence of bridging ligands in the studied family of compounds was found in the modulation of the energy gap between the LS and HS states, leading to different transition temperatures.

The vibrational modes of the low-spin and high-spin isomers of the spin crossover complex [Fe(phen)(2)(NCS)(2)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been measured by IR and Raman spectroscopy and by nuclear inelastic scattering. The vibrational frequencies and normal modes and the IR and Raman intensities have been calculated by density functional methods. The vibrational entropy difference between the two isomers, DeltaS(vib), which is--together with the electronic entropy difference DeltaS(el)--the driving force for the spin-transition, has been determined from the measured and from the calculated frequencies. The calculated difference (DeltaS(vib) = 57-70 J mol(-1) K(-1), depending on the method) is in qualitative agreement with experimental values (20-36 J mol(-1) K(-1)). Only the low energy vibrational modes (20% of the 147 modes of the free molecule) contribute to the entropy difference and about three quarters of the vibrational entropy difference are due to the 15 modes of the central FeN(6) octahedron.

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.

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.

Two spin-crossover (SCO) complexes [Fe(II)(3-MeO,5-NO2-sal-N(1,4,7,10)] (1) and [Fe(II)(3-EtO,5-NO2-sal-N(1,4,7,10)] (2) have been prepared and studied (3-MeO,5-NO2-sal-N(1,4,7,10) and 3-EtO,5-NO2-sal-N(1,4,7,10) are deprotonated 2-[12-(hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl)-2,5,8,11-tetraazadodeca-1,11-dien-1-yl]-2-methoxy-4-nitrophenol and 2-[12-(hydroxy-3-ethoxy-5-nitrophenyl)-2,5,8,11-tetraazadodeca-1,11-dien-1-yl]-2-ethoxy-4-nitrophenol, respectively). The X-ray diffraction analysis of complex 1 (C22H26N6O8Fe) evidenced the same Pbnb orthorhombic system at 160 K (high-spin (HS) state) and 100 K (low-spin (LS) state). At 160 K, a = 8.4810(9) A, b = 14.7704(14) A, c = 18.769(2) A, V = 2351.2(4) A3, and Z = 4. At 100 K, a = 8.5317(8) A, b = 14.4674(15) A, c = 18.814(2) A, and V = 2322.2(4) A3. Complex 2 (C28H38N6O9Fe) crystallizes in the P1 triclinic system. At 160 K (HS state), a = 10.265(4) A, b = 10.861(4) A, c = 14.181(5) A, alpha = 84.18(4) degrees, beta = 70.53(5) degrees, gamma = 88.95(5) degrees, V = 1482.6(10) A3, and Z = 2. The iron(II) coordination sphere is distorted octahedral in 1 and 2 with a cis-alpha arrangement of the N4O2 donor set of the hexadentate ligand. The molecules are connected into 1D infinite chains through hydrogen contacts involving the secondary amine functions and O(nitro) atoms of the ligands in adjacent molecules. Investigation of their magnetic properties and Mossbauer spectra has revealed very different SCO behaviors: complex 1 exhibits a cooperative SCO without residual LS or HS fraction; complex 2 shows a LS <--> HS SCO involving approximately 5% of the Fe(II) ions in the 30-150 K range. The phenomenological cooperative interaction parameter J = 138 K evaluated from the area of the hysteresis loop indicates a cooperative effect weaker in 1 than in [Fe(II)(5NO2-sal-N(1,4,7,10))]. The theoretical approach to the SCO in 2 indicates a HS ground state and a LS first excited level 53 K above: the thermal dependence of the system occurs through population of vibrational states. Comparison of the structural and electronic properties of the ferrous SCO materials with parent N4O2 ligands shows that the properties of SCO are closely related to intermolecular interactions and crystal packing.

Two new carboxylate-containing polydentate ligands have been synthesized, the symmetric ligand 2,6-bis[N-(N-(carboxylmethyl)-N-((1-methylimidazol)methyl)amine)methyl]-4-methylphenolate (BCIMP) and the corresponding asymmetric ligand 2-(N-isopropyl-N-((1-aminomethyl)-4-methylphenol (ICIMP). The ligands have been used to prepare model complexes for the active site of the dinuclear nickel enzyme urease, viz. [Ni(2)(BCIMP)Ac(2)](-) (6), [Ni(2)(BCIMP)(Ph(2)Ac)(2)](-) (7), [Ni(2)(ICIMP)(Ph(2)Ac)(2)] (14), [Ni(4)(ICIMP)(2)(Ph(2)Ac)(2)][ClO(4)](2) (15), [Ni(4)(ICIMP)(2)(Ph(2)Ac)(2)(DMF)(2)][ClO(4)](2) (16), and [Ni(4)(ICIMP)(2)(Ph(2)Ac)(2)(urea)(H(2)O)][ClO(4)](2) (17), where the latter complex contains urea coordinated in a unidentate fashion through the carbonyl oxygen. The N(2)O-N(2)O(2) donor set of ICIMP provides a good framework for the preparation of urease models, but in some cases tetranuclear nickel complexes are formed due to coordination of the carboxylate moiety of one dinickel-ICIMP unit to one or both of the nickels of a second Ni(2) unit. Reactivity and kinetics studies of 7 and 15 show that these model complexes catalyze hydrolysis of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) at basic pH. In this assay, complexes based on the asymmetric ligand ICIMP exhibit a significantly faster rate of hydrolysis than the corresponding BCIMP complexes. Magnetic measurements indicate that there are weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the nickel ions in complex 16.

The manganese(III) complexes studied in this report derive from asymmetrical trianionic ligands abbreviated H(3)L(i) (i = 4-6). These ligands are obtained through reaction of salicylaldehyde with "half-units", the latter resulting from monocondensation of different diamines with phenylsalicylate,. Upon deprotonation, L(i) (i = 4-6) possess an inner N(2)O(2) coordination site with one amido, one imine, and two phenoxo functions, and an outer amido oxygen donor. The trianionic character of such ligands yields original neutral complexes with the L/Mn stoichiometry. The crystal and molecular structures of three complexes have been determined at 190 K (1) or 180 K (2 and 3). Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P (No. 2): a = 7.8582(14) A, b = 10.9225(16) A, c = 12.4882(18) A, alpha = 67.231(14) degrees, beta = 72.134(14) degrees, gamma = 82.589(13) degrees, V = 940.6(3) A(3), Z = 2. Complex 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (Nuomicron. 60): a = 23.8283(15) A, b = 11.1605(7) A, c = 26.152(2) A, V = 6954.8(8) A(3), Z = 8, while complex 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14) with a = 11.7443(14) A, b = 7.5996(10) A, c = 18.029(2) A, beta = 100.604(10) degrees, V = 1581.6(3) A(3), Z = 4. Owing to hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stackings, the mononuclear neutral molecules of 1 are arranged in a 2D network while complexes 2 and 3 are tetranuclear and polymeric (1D chain) species, respectively, owing to the bridging ability of the oxygen atom of the amido function. The experimental magnetic susceptibilities of complexes 2 and 3 indicate the occurrence of similarly weak Mn(III)-Mn(III) antiferromagnetic interactions (J = -1.1 cm(-1)). Single ion zero-field splitting of manganese(III) must be taken into account for satisfactorily fitting the data by exact calculation of the energy levels associated to the spin Hamiltonian through diagonalization of the full matrix for axial symmetry in 2 (J = - 1.1 cm(-1), D(1) = 2.2 cm(-1), D(2) = -2.8 cm(-1)), D(1) and D(2) being associated to the six- and five-coordinate Mn ions, respectively. A weaker antiferromagnetic interaction (J = - 0.2 cm(-1)) operates through pi-pi stacking in complex 1. Complex 3 is a weak ferromagnet (ordering temperature approximately 7 K) as a result of the spin canting originating from the crystal packing.

Several novel diazadioxa ferrocenyl derivatives have been prepared along with their previously unknown electroactive precursor [(C(5)H(5))Fe(C(5)H(4)CH(2)N(CH(3))(CH(2))(2)OCH(2)-)](2) (2). Di-N,N'-protonated and -methylated species [2(H)(2)][X](2) (3a-c) (X = CF(3)SO(3), BF(4), PF(6)) and [2(Me)(2)][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (5), and N-H-N monoprotonated species [2H][X] (4a-c) have been isolated in high yield. The efficient syntheses of compounds [2Na][PF(6)] (6), [2Cu][CF(3)SO(3)] (7), [2Ag][CF(3)SO(3)] (8), and [2MCl(2)] (M = Zn, Hg) (9, 10) are reported. The crystal structure of complex 7 has been determined by X-ray analysis at 180 K. Crystal data: monoclinic P2(1)/c, with a = 11.511(2) Å, b = 19.613(2) Å, c = 14.493(2) Å, beta = 88.32(2) degrees, V = 3273.2(1) Å(3), Z = 4; R = 0.034, R(w) = 0.039 for 3379 observations and 407 variable parameters. The copper(I) atom, bound to the two O and two N atoms of the ferrocenyl ligand, is in a very distorted tetrahedral geometry with a large N(1)CuN(2) angle (163.1(2) degrees ). In cyclic voltammetry, 4a-c undergo two quasi-reversible (Fe(II)/Fe(III)) redox processes at 0.1 V s(-)(1). Electrochemical studies of 3a-c, 5, 7, and 8 show that diprotonation and dialkylation of 2 or complexation of a Cu (Ag) salt induces an anodic shift ranging from 240 to 110 mV. Chemical oxidation of 2 (5 equiv of Ag(I)) produces the cation [2(H)(2)](4+) (11). The quantitative two-step electrochemical oxidation of 2 at controlled potential in CH(3)CN also leads to 11: an ECE mechanism, in which the diprotonated species plays a key role, is proposed. Mössbauer data of 2, 3c, 6, 7, 8, and 11 are also presented.