Towards understanding and controlling ultrafast dynamics in molecular photomagnets

Tracking nuclear motion in single-molecule magnets using femtosecond X-ray absorption spectroscopy

“…We have previously explored the photoinduced dynamics of the JT distortion in the SMM [Mn(III) 3 O(Et-sao) 3 (β-pic) 3 (ClO 4 )] 15 , where saoH 2 and β-pic are salicylaldoxime and 3-methylpyridine, respectively, now referred to as Mn 3 , which could potentially lead to all-optical switching 16 . In this molecule, three Mn(III) ions are arranged in a triangle and the spins on each ion couple to form a S = 6 ground state 17 .…”

Detection of a Jahn–Teller mode as an ultrafast fingerprint of spin-transition-induced charge transfer in CoFe Prussian Blue Analogue

“…1,2 In particular, transition-metals-based molecular materials have attracted lots of interest because their light-induced magnetic properties can be maintained, at low temperatures, once light irradiation is switched off. This is especially true for Laser-Induced Excited State Spin Trapping (LIESST) in Spin-Crossover (SCO) compounds, [3][4][5][6] photoinduced magnetic anisotropy in singlemolecule magnets, [7][8][9][10] photoinduced magnetism in Prussian Blue Analogues (PBAs) resulting from a coupled charge-transfer and spin transition, 11,12 or synergetic LIESST-based single-molecule magnet properties. 13 In many cases, photo-reversibility between different magnetic properties was even demonstrated.…”

Photo-induced valence tautomerism and polarization switching in mononuclear cobalt complexes with an enantiopure chiral ligand

“…5,13 Among a variety of external stimuli, light has received extensive research in recent years due to its fast response and remote control. 18–25…”

“…5,13 Among a variety of external stimuli, light has received extensive research in recent years due to its fast response and remote control. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] In 2020, our group reported a cobalt mononuclear compound, [Co( phendiox)(rac-cth)]ClO 4 •0.5EtOH 7 (H 2 phendiox = 9,10-dihydroxyphenanthrene, rac-cth = racemic 5,5,7,12,12,14hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), with a thermally induced polarization change during the VT process, owing to the change of its molecular dipole moment in a polar crystallographic space group. Upon temperature variations, the pyroelectric effect was observed in the same temperature range as with the VT process.…”