Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Experimental Approaches for the Synthesis of Low-Valent Metal-Organic Frameworks from Multitopic Phosphine Linkers
Published on: May 12, 2023
Spin crossover in 2D iron(ii) phthalazine cyanometallic complexes
Volodymyr M Hiiuk1, Sergiu Shova2, Aurelian Rotaru3
1Department of Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 64 Volodymyrska St., 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine. illia.guralskyi@univ.kiev.ua and UkrOrgSyntez Ltd., 67 Chervonotkatska St., 02094 Kyiv, Ukraine and Faculty of Natural Sciences, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, 2 Skovorody St., 04070 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Abstract:
Two new 2D spin-crossover (SCO) analogues of Hofmann clathrates of composition [Fe(phth)2MII(CN)4] (where phth = phthalazine; MII = Pd, Pt) have been synthesized and their structures and switchable behaviour have been characterized. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the Pt and Pd derivatives contain FeII centres equatorially surrounded by four equivalent μ4-[MII(CN)4]2- groups. Two crystallographically equivalent phthalazine (phth) ligands occupy the axial positions of each FeII site, completing its octahedral coordination environment. The stabilization of these structures is realized via supramolecular C-HM interactions and π-π stacking. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that Pt (T1/2↓ = 211 K and T1/2↑ = 218 K) and Pd (T1/2↓ = 202 K and T1/2↑ = 207 K) derivatives display cooperative spin crossover with narrow thermal hysteresis loops. In addition, spin crossover in these complexes was characterized by optical measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. This research shows that the use of phthalazine leads to the production of new SCO systems with attractive transition characteristics and opens up new perspectives for the design of switchable complexes based on fused bicyclic azine ligands.
More Related Videos
12:30Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
06:53Author Spotlight: Magnetometric Characterization of Intermediates in the Solid-State Electrochemistry of Redox-Active Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: June 9, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Valence Bond Theory
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...
Stereoisomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...