The reaction of 4-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)ethanesulfonate (L) with Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Fe2+ gave a series of analogous neutral trinuclear complexes with the formula [M3(μ-L)6(H2O)6] (1–5). These compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. The magnetic properties of compounds 2–5 were studied. Complexes 2–4 show weak antiferromagnetic superexchange, with J values of −0.33 (2), −9.56 (3), and −4.50 cm−1 (4) (exchange Hamiltonian H=−2 J (S1S2+S2S3)). Compound 5 shows two additional crystallographic phases (5 b and 5 c) that can be obtained by dehydration and/or thermal treatment. These three phases exhibit distinct magnetic behavior. The Fe2+ centers in 5 are in high-spin (HS) configuration at room temperature, with the central one exhibiting a non-cooperative gradual spin transition below 250 K with T1/2=150 K. In 5 b, the central Fe2+ stays in its low-spin (LS) state at room temperature, and cooperative spin transition occurs at higher temperatures and with the appearance of memory effect (T1/2↑=357 K and T1/2↓=343 K). In the case of 5 c, all iron centers remain in their HS configuration down to very low temperatures, with weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J=−1.16 cm−1). Compound 5 b exhibits spin transition with memory effect at the highest temperature reported, which matches the remarkable features of coordination polymers.
Hysteretic Spin Crossover above Room Temperature and Magnetic Coupling in Trinuclear Transition-Metal Complexes with Anionic 1,2,4-Triazole Ligands
Chem. Eur. J. 2014, 20, 5369-5379.