Spin-Crossover in Molecular Complexes and Coordination Polymers

Dear Colleagues,

Modern concepts of using switchable molecular compounds in displays, sensing, and memory devices exploit an ability of some transition metal ions to reversibly switch their spin state in response to external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, light irradiation, and electric or magnetic fields. Over the years, many molecular complexes and coordination polymers have been recognized for this spin-crossover phenomenon. Among possible spin-crossover behaviors found in their crystalline state (gradual, abrupt, stepwise or incomplete), abrupt spin transitions with a wide hysteresis occurring at temperatures close to the room temperature are preferred. Tailoring them for the above applications relies on proper chemical modifications of the ligands (as in ‘molecular design’) and a control over interactions between spin-transition metal ions (as in ‘crystal engineering’) in molecular complexes and coordination polymers. The best way to achieve it is through structure–function relations identified in systematic studies via X-ray crystallography and complimentary techniques, including well-established approaches (magnetometry, optical spectroscopy, EPR and NMR spectroscopies, etc.) and those being developed for probing the spin state of transition metal ions. Despite many successful attempts to obtain crystalline materials with the desired magnetic properties, there is still a lot to be learned about different families of spin-crossover compounds to further improve this understanding.

For this Special Issue, we invite researchers who are well versed in spin-crossover complexes or striving to expand their ‘tool-kit’ by searching among coordination polymers to share their efforts in gaining insight into the spin state behavior of these compounds and in applying such knowledge for rational design of new ‘switchable’ magnetic materials for future breakthrough applications.

Prof. Dr. Yulia V. Nelyubina
Guest Editor

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• Molecular magnetism
• Spin crossover
• Rational design
• Structure/property relations
• Coordination polymers
• Transition metal complexes
• X-ray diffraction