Towards Controlling the Valance Tautomer Interconversion Character by Solvation

Abstract

Valence tautomers are bi-stable functional molecular materials in which it is observed charge transference between redox active ligands and a metallic center followed by the change of spin of the metal. Valence tautomerism (VT) interconversion is entropically driven and induced by external stimuli such as irradiation by light and soft X-rays and/or changes in temperature and pressure. VT interconversion is also associated with remarkable variations in optical and magnetic properties and and can be modulated with slight chemical changes [1]. Typical examples of valence tautomers are coordination compounds of Co and o-dioxolenes ligands [2]. Crystals of the [Co(diox)(4-X-py)2], where diox = 3,5-di-t-butylcatecholate/3,5-di-t-butylsemiquinonate, X=CN/NO2, py= pyridine, were initially studied with respect to low spin (LS) to high spin (HS) thermo and photoinduced VT interconversion. It was reported that [Co(diox)(4-CN-py)2] crystals become HS–Co3+ at temperatures below 110 K with cooperative VT interconversion whereas [Co(diox)(4-NO2-py)2] crystals present non cooperative VT interconversion [3]. Toluene and benzene solvates of [Co(diox)(4-NO2-py)2 and [Co(diox)(4-CN-py)2 have been prepared to investigate further the solvation effects on the VT interconversion properties. Analysis of the single crystal X-ray diffraction data obtained during cooling and heating at temperatures ranging from 293 K to 90 K indicated that [Co(diox)(4-CN-py)2] toluene and benzene as well as [Co(diox)(4-NO2-py)2].toluene solvate crystals undergo into non cooperative VT interconversion. The [Co(diox)(4-NO2-py)2].benzene crystal show a highly cooperative VT interconversion with a pronounced hysteresis. Intermolecular interactions between inlayer [Co(diox)(4-X-py)2] molecules are responsible for the VT interconversion in all compounds, however the VT interconversion cooperativity seems to be related with the strength of the Car–H...Odiox interactions and with the correspondent Co–Co separation. Thus solvation plays a key role in the definition of the VT interconversion nature. Acknowledgments: FAPEMIG, CNPq and CAPES grant 10030-12-3.