Two-Dimensional Spin-Crossover Molecular Solid Solutions with Tunable Transition Temperatures across 90 K.

Abstract

Spin-crossover (SCO) materials exhibit remarkable potential as bistable switches in molecular devices. However, the spin transition temperatures (Tc) of known compounds are unable to cover the entire ambient temperature spectrum, largely limiting their practical utility. This study reports an exemplary two-dimensional SCO solid solution system, [FeIII(H0.5LCl)2-2x(H0.5LF)2x]·H2O (H0.5LX = 5-X-2-hydroxybenzylidene-hydrazinecarbothioamide, X = F or Cl, x = 0 to 1), in which the adjacent layers are adhered via hydrogen bonding. Notably, the Tc of this system can be fine-tuned across 90 K (227-316 K) in a linear manner by modulating the fraction x of the LF ligand. Elevating x results in strengthened hydrogen bonding between adjacent layers, which leads to enhanced intermolecular interactions between adjacent SCO molecules. Single-crystal diffraction analysis and periodic density functional theory calculations revealed that such a special kind of alteration in interlayer interactions strengthens the FeIIIN2O2S2 ligand field and corresponding SCO energy barrier, consequently resulting in increased Tc. This work provides a new pathway for tuning the Tc of SCO materials through delicate manipulation of molecular interactions, which could expand the application of bistable molecular solids to a much wider temperature regime.