Molecular switching complexes with iron and tin as central atom

The precursor [FeIII(L)Cl] (LH2 = N,N′-bis(2′-hydroxy-benzyliden)-1,6-diamino-3-N-hexane is a high-spin (S = 5/2) complex. This precursor is combined with the bridging units [SnIV(X)4] (X = CN−, NCS−) to yield star-shaped pentanuclear clusters, [(LFeIII–X)4Sn]Cl4. For X = CN− the 57Fe-Mössbauer data show a multiple spin transition between iron(III) in the high-spin and low-spin state, while the 119mSn-Mössbauer data indicate a valence tautomerism between Sn(IV) and Sn(II). Changing the bridging unit from X = CN− to X = NCS− turns the switchability off.

Graphical abstractWe present a molecular switching complex with a main group metal element, i.e. tin, as central atom. For this compound we can show valence tautomerism between Sn(II) and Sn(IV) and electron switching for Fe(III) between high-spin and low-spin state.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide