Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Cyanide-Bridged Networks

Abstract

Hybrid organic–inorganic CN-bridged networks are an important and versatile group of molecular magnets. Cyanide ligands mediate relatively strong magnetic interactions and at the same time allow easy design of polynuclear assemblies via building block approach. Introduction of organic ligands allows effective manipulation of topology and dimensionality, enabling formation of discrete polynuclear structures, chains and layers as well as intricate 3D architectures. Organic molecules in hybrid systems can act as blocking or bridging ligands as well as guest molecules. Most importantly, apart from directing the structure formation, organic ligands can be used to induce additional desired properties. In this chapter, we present numerous examples of hybrid CN-bridged assemblies to illustrate their diverse functionalities. They include single molecule (SMMs) and single chain magnets (SCMs), magnetic sponges, multi-switchable spin-crossover (SCO) and charge-transfer systems as well as materials combining magnetic ordering with optical activity or luminescence. Current efforts in the research of CN-bridged systems concentrate on several topics connected with their potential applications, like search for materials with high critical temperature of magnetic ordering, development of bistable systems responsive to multiple stimuli, or surface deposition and formation of heterostructures.