Nickel-porphyrins, with their rigid quadratic planar coordination framework, provide an excellent model to study the coordination-induced spin crossover (CISCO) effect because bonding of one or two axial ligands to the metal center leads to a spin transition from S=0 to S=1. Herein, both equilibrium constants K(1S) and K(2), and for the first time also the corresponding thermodynamic parameters DeltaH(1S), DeltaH(2), DeltaS(1S), and DeltaS(2), are determined for the reaction of a nickel-porphyrin (Ni-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin) with different 4-substituted pyridines by temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy. The association constants K(1S) and K(2) are correlated with the basicity of the 4-substituted pyridines (R: OMe>H>CO(2)Et>NO(2)) whereas the DeltaH(1S) values exhibit a completely different order (OMeCO(2)Et>NO(2)). 4-Nitropyridine exhibits the largest binding enthalpy, which, however, is overcompensated by a large negative binding entropy. We attribute the large association enthalpy of nitropyridine with porphyrin to the back donation of electrons from the Ni d(xz) and d(yz) orbitals into the pi orbitals of pyridine, and the negative association entropy to a decrease in vibrational and internal rotation entropy of the more rigid porphyrin-pyridine complex. Back donation for the nitro- and cyanopyridine complexes is also confirmed by IR spectroscopy, and shows a shift of the N-O and C-N vibrations, respectively, to lower wave numbers. X-ray structures of 2:1 complexes with nitro-, cyano-, and dimethylaminopyridine provide further indication of a back donation. A further trend has been observed: the more basic the pyridine the larger is K(1S) relative to K(2). For nitropyridine K(2) is 17 times larger than K(1S) and in the case of methoxypyridine K(2) and K(1S) are almost equal.

Magnetic bistability in spin-crossover materials generally is a collective phenomenon that arises from the cooperative interaction of a large number of microscopic magnetic moments within the crystal lattice in the solid state. We now report on individual molecules in homogeneous solution that are switched between the diamagnetic and paramagnetic states at room temperature by light-driven coordination-induced spin-state switching (LD-CISSS). Switching of the coordination number (and concurrently of the spin state) was achieved by using Ni-porphyrin as a square-planar platform and azopyridines as photodissociable axial ligands. The square-planar Ni-porphyrin is diamagnetic (low-spin, S = 0), and all complexes with axial ligands are paramagnetic (high-spin, S = 1). Association constants were determined for all conceivable 1:1 and 1:2 porphyrin/azopyridine complexes. The binding constants of the trans azopyridines are larger than those of the corresponding cis isomers. Thus, upon irradiation with UV light (365 nm, trans → cis) and visible light (455 nm, cis → trans), switching of the magnetic properties was achieved. Upon substitution of the azopyridines at the 4- and 4'-positions with larger substituents, the difference in trans and cis association constants, and thus the switching efficiency, was increased. A photoinduced, reversible switching between 20 and 68% paramagnetic Ni species in solution was achieved with isopropyl substituents at room temperature.

The bistability of spin states (e.g., spin crossover) in bulk materials is well investigated and understood. We recently extended spin-state switching to isolated molecules at room temperature (light-driven coordination-induced spin-state switching, or LD-CISSS). Whereas bistability and hysteresis in conventional spin-crossover materials are caused by cooperative effects in the crystal lattice, spin switching in LD-CISSS is achieved by reversibly changing the coordination number of a metal complex by means of a photochromic ligand that binds in one configuration but dissociates in the other form. We present mathematical proof that the maximum efficiency in property switching by such a photodissociable ligand (PDL) is only dependent on the ratio of the association constants of both configurations. Rational design by using DFT calculations was applied to develop a photoswitchable ligand with a high switching efficiency. The starting point was a nickel-porphyrin as the transition-metal complex and 3-phenylazopyridine as the photodissociable ligand. Calculations and experiments were performed in two iterative steps to find a substitution pattern at the phenylazopyridine ligand that provided optimum performance. Following this strategy, we synthesized an improved photodissociable ligand that binds to the Ni-porphyrin with an association constant that is 5.36 times higher in its trans form than in the cis form. The switching efficiency between the diamagnetic and paramagnetic state is efficient as well (72% paramagnetic Ni-porphyrin after irradiation at 365 nm, 32% paramagnetic species after irradiation at 440 nm). Potential applications arise from the fact that the LD-CISSS approach for the first time allows reversible switching of the magnetic susceptibility of a homogeneous solution. Photoswitchable contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and light-controlled magnetic levitation are conceivable applications.

In the title compound, C11H8ClN3, the azo group adopts a trans conformation and the dihedral angle between the six-membered rings is 15.47 (8)°.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C12H12N4O2, consists of one half-mol­ecule, which is located on a center of inversion. The molecule has a step-like shape; the azo group adopting a trans configuration, with the pyridine rings being parallel-displace.