Light-induced spin-crossover magnet

Nat Chem. 2011 Jun 5;3(7):564-9. doi: 10.1038/nchem.1067.

Abstract

The light-induced phase transition between the low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states of some transition-metal ions has been extensively studied in the fields of chemistry and materials science. In a crystalline extended system, magnetically ordering the HS sites of such transition-metal ions by irradiation should lead to spontaneous magnetization. Previous examples of light-induced ordering have typically occurred by means of an intermetallic charge transfer mechanism, inducing a change of valence of the metal centres. Here, we describe the long-range magnetic ordering of the extended Fe(II)(HS) sites in a metal-organic framework caused instead by a light-induced excited spin-state trapping effect. The Fe-Nb-based material behaves as a spin-crossover magnet, in which a strong superexchange interaction (magnetic coupling through non-magnetic elements) between photo-produced Fe(II)(HS) and neighbouring Nb(IV) atoms operates through CN bridges. The magnetic phase transition is observed at 20 K with a coercive field of 240 Oe.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Light*
  • Magnetics*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Niobium / chemistry*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Phase Transition

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Niobium
  • Iron