We report a two-dimensional Hofmann-like spin-crossover (SCO) material, [Fe(trz-py){Pt(CN)}]·3HO, built from [FePt(CN)] layers separated by interdigitated 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,4H-triazole (trz-py) ligands with two symmetrically inequivalent Fe sites. This compound exhibits an incomplete first-order spin transition at 153 K between fully high-spin (HS-HS) and intermediate high-spin low-spin (HS-LS) ordered states. At low temperature, it undergoes a bidirectional photoswitching to HS-HS and fully low-spin (LS-LS) states with green and near-IR light irradiation, respectively, with associated T(LIESST = Light-Induced Excited Spin-State Trapping) and T(reverse-LIESST) values of 52 and 85 K, respectively. Photomagnetic investigations show that the reverse-LIESST process, performed from either HS-HS or HS-LS states, enables access to a hidden stable LS-LS state, revealing the existence of a hidden thermal hysteresis. Crystallographic investigations allowed to identify that the strong metastability of the HS-LS state originates from the existence of a strong elastic frustration causing antiferroelastic interactions within the [FePt(CN)] layers, through the rigid NC-Pt-CN bridges connecting the inequivalent Fe sites. The existence of the stable LS-LS state paves the way for a multidirectional photoswitching and allows potential applications for electronic devices based on ternary digits.

We investigated by means of optical microscopy (OM) the spatiotemporal features of the thermo-induced spin transition of [Fe(2-pytrz)2{Pd(CN)4}]·3H2O (1) (2-pytrz = 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,4H-triazole) single crystals having two different shapes (triangle and rectangle). While magnetic and calorimetric measurements, performed on a polycrystalline material, showed the respective average heating and cooling transition temperatures of (Tdown1/2 ∼ 152 K, Tup1/2 ∼ 154 K) and (Tdown1/2 ∼ 160.0 K, Tup1/2 ∼ 163.5 K), OM studies performed on a unique single crystal revealed significantly different switching temperatures (Tdown1/2 ∼ 152 K and Tup1/2 ∼ 162 K). OM investigations showed an interface spreading over all crystals during the spin transition. Thanks to the color contrast between the low-spin (LS) and the high-spin (HS) states, we have been able to follow the real time dynamics of the spin transition between these two spin states, as well as access the thermal hysteresis loop of each single crystal. After image processing, the HS-LS interface's velocity was carefully estimated in the ranges [4.4-8.5] μm s-1 and [2.5-5.5] μm s-1 on cooling and heating, respectively. In addition, we found that the velocity of the interface is shape-dependent, and accelerates nearby the crystal's borders. Interestingly, we observed that during the propagation process, the interface optimizes its shape so as to minimize the excess of elastic energy arising from the lattice parameter misfit between the LS and HS phases. All of these original experimental results are well reproduced using a spatiotemporal model based on the description of the spin-crossover problem as a reaction diffusion phenomenon.

New Fe(II) coordination polymeric neutral chains of formula [Fe(aqin)2(μ2-M(CN)4)] (M = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2)) (aqin = Quinolin-8-amine) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure determinations of 1-2 reveal in both cases a one-dimensional structure in which the planar [M(CN)4](2-) (M = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2)) anion acts as a μ2-bridging ligand, and the two aqin molecules as chelating coligands. Examination of the intermolecular contacts in the two compounds reveals that the main contacts are ascribed to hydrogen bonding interactions involving the amine groups of the aqin chelating ligands and the nitrogen atoms of the two non bridging CN groups of the [M(CN)4](2-) (M = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2)) anion. The average values of the six Fe-N distances observed respectively at room temperature (293 K) and low temperature (120 K), that is, 2.142(3) and 2.035(2) Å for 1, and 2.178(3) and 1.990(2) Å for 2, and the thermal variation of the cell parameters (performed on 2) are indicative of the presence of an abrupt HS-LS spin crossover (SCO) transition in both compounds. The thermal dependence of the product of the molar magnetic susceptibility times the temperature (χmT), in cooling and warming modes, confirms the SCO behavior at about 145 and 133 K in 1 and 2, respectively, and reveals the presence of a small thermal hysteresis of about 2 K for each compound.

Two new iron(II) complexes of formula [Fe(L2)](tcm)2·2H2O (1) and [Fe(L2)][Ni(CN)4]·H2O (2) {L2 = 1,8‐bis(2′‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane; tcm– = [C(CN)3]– = tricyanomethanide anion} have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and magnetic measurements and compared with the previously described compound of the same series [Fe(L2)](BF4)2·H2O (3). The crystal structures of the three compounds show discrete iron(II) complexes in which the FeII ions adopt distorted FeN6 octahedral geometries. A hydrogen‐bonding network involving the water molecules and the different counter ions, tcm– in 1 and [Ni(CN)4]2– in 2, leads to chains for both compounds whereas compound 3 reveals no significant intermolecular contacts. For 1, the magnetic measurements show an abrupt and incomplete high‐spin→low‐spin (HS→LS) spin transition (ST) with a hysteresis of 9 K (T1/2down = 136 K; T1/2up = 145 K) that is also optically observed. Compound 2 presents slightly weaker intermolecular contacts and shows an abrupt ST at 85 K without hysteretic behaviour. Finally, compound 3, in which the FeII complex is well isolated, exhibits a gradual spin transition centred at 150 K. Detailed X‐ray diffraction studies performed at various temperatures (293–120 K) show strong modifications of the iron coordination sphere in 1 and 3, in agreement with the presence of a ST in this temperature range in both complexes.

Spin-crossover (SCO) Fe(II) dinuclear complexes of formula [Fe2(tmpa)2(μ2-tcpd)2]·0.8(CH3OH) (1·MeOH) and [Fe2(andmpa)2(μ2-tcpd)2]·2CH3OH (2·MeOH) (tmpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, andmpa = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)aniline, (tcpd)(2-) = 2-dicyanomethylene-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropanediide) have been synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure determinations of the two complexes (1·MeOH and 2·MeOH) and the desolvated complex 1 (from 1·MeOH) revealed a neutral centrosymmetrical dinuclear structure in which the (tcpd)(2-) cyanocarbanion acts as a double μ2-bridging ligand between two [FeL](2+) (L = tmpa (1), andmpa (2)) units involving two free coordination sites in the cis configuration. Examination of the shortest intermolecular contacts in 1·MeOH and 1 reveals no significant hydrogen bonding between the dinuclear units, while in 2·MeOH these units are held together by significant hydrogen bonds between one of the uncoordinated nitrile groups and the anilate function, giving rise to 1D supramolecular structure. The three dinuclear complexes 1, 2·MeOH, and 2 exhibit SCO behaviors which have been evidenced by the thermal evolutions of the χmT product and by the average values of the six Fe-N distances for 1 and 2·MeOH, that reveal a gradual conversion with transition temperatures (T1/2) at ca. 352 K (1), 196 K (2), and 180 K (2·MeOH). For the solvated 1·MeOH, the sharp SCO transition observed around 365 K was induced by the desolvatation process above 330 K during the magnetic measurements.

The cover picture shows the magnetic properties of a new series of FeII spin‐crossover (SCO) complexes based on a N‐functionalized macrocycle ligand. One complex exhibits magnetic bistability with a 9 K wide hysteresis loop (136–145 K), whereas two others show an abrupt (T1/2 = 83 K) or gradual (T1/2 = 150 K) transition without hysteresis. These differences in behavior have been explained by the presence of strong, moderate, or weak intermolecular interactions mediated by the solvent (H2O) and/or counter ions (shown to the left and right of the complex). Details are discussed in the article by S. Triki et al. on http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejic.201600660/abstract. For more on the story behind the cover research, see the http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejic.201601322/full.

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