Diverse Magnetic Properties of Two New Binuclear Complexes Affected by [FeN6] Octahedral Distortion: Two-Step Spin Crossover versus Antiferromagnetic Interactions

Abstract

Polymetallic complexes with covalently bridged metal centers that interact magnetically are important in the molecular magnetism field, with binuclear compounds receiving special attention because they represent the simplest type of multinuclear species with covalently bridged metal centers. Herein, we report the synthesis and properties of two new binuclear FeII complexes, namely, {[Fe(abpt-TPE)(NCS)2]2(bpym)}·2MeOH·2MeCN (1) and {[Fe(abpt-TPE)(NCS)2]2(bpym)}·2CH2Cl2 (2) (bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine). The crystal structure is analyzed at different temperatures, and its properties are analyzed by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and variable-temperature fluorescence emission spectroscopy tests. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of two binuclear compounds show different types of magnetic behavior. Complex 1 exhibits two-step spin transition behavior with an intermediate state near 150 K (Tc1 = 191 K, Tc2 = 111 K); 1 undergoes an [LS–LS] ↔ [LS–HS] ↔ [HS–HS] spin transition during thermal induction. On the other hand, complex 2 exhibits intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling, with J = −0.47 cm−1. The analysis of correlations between the structural characteristics and different types of magnetic behaviors for two binuclear complexes, revealed that the different magnetic behaviors shown by the two complexes are attributable to different degrees of [FeN6] octahedral distortion caused by different lattice solvents, ligand strain and crystal stacking.