Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Magnetometric Characterization of Intermediates in the Solid-State Electrochemistry of Redox-Active Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: June 9, 2023
CW and TR EPR study of photomagnetic properties of heptanuclear Fe(II)-Fe(III) complex
Ekaterina Batueva1,2, Andrey Sukhanov1, Yuri Kandrashkin1
1Zavoisky Physical-Technical Institute, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sibirsky Tract, 10/7, 420029 Kazan, Russia.
Abstract:
The photomagnetic behavior of a mixed-valence heptanuclear complex [Fe(II)(CN)6{Fe(III)L}6](SCN)2, where L = dianion N,N'-bis(1-hydroxy-2-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane, has been investigated. The structure of the complex was optimized using density functional theory with the def2-SVP basis set and the Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria functional. Continuous wave (CW) and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TR EPR) spectroscopy measurements at low temperatures (20-65 K) reveal a reversible, light-induced change in EPR signal intensity, indicating photoswitching between high-spin and low-spin states. The analysis of the CW and TR EPR spectroscopy results identified two types of effects related to sample magnetization: local sample heating by light and magnetization changes associated with photoinduced high-spin to low-spin transitions. These results demonstrate the potential of this complex as a photoswitchable magnetic material.
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 - 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...
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy: Organic Radicals
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...
Ferromagnetism

