Two chiral complexes constructed from mixed L-histidine and L-alanine/thiocyanate ligands: Synthesis, structure, ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties

Two chiral complexes, [Cu(L1)(L2)H2O]·3H2O (1) and [Ni(L1)(SCN)(H2O)2]·2H2O (2) (HL1 = L-histidine, HL2 = L-alanine), have been synthesized through slow evaporation of solvent and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, powder X-ray diffraction, element analysis and circular dichroism measurements. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic system with chiral space group P21, respectively. Interestingly, magnetic and ferroelectric studies reveal that complexes 1 and 2 demonstrate ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties.

Graphical abstractTwo chiral complexes constructed from mixed L-histidine and L-alanine or thiocyanate ligands have been synthesized through slow evaporation of solvent. Magnetic and ferroelectric studies reveal that complexes 1 and 2 demonstrate ferromagnetic and ferroelectric double functions in aspect of multiferroic complexes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Two chiral complexes have been synthesized through slow evaporation of solvent. ► The two complexes crystallize in the monoclinic system with chiral space group P21, respectively. ► Both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric behaviors were observed.