Spin Crossover in a Vacuum-Deposited Submonolayer of a Molecular Iron(II) Complex

Abstract

Spin-state switching of transition-metal complexes (spin crossover) is sensitive to a variety of tiny perturbations. It is often found to be suppressed for molecules directly adsorbed on solid surfaces. We present X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of a submonolayer of [Fe^II(NCS)₂L] (L: 1-{6-[1,1-di(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-pyridin-2-yl}-N,N-dimethyl­methan­amine) deposited on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite substrate in ultrahigh vacuum. These molecules undergo a thermally induced, fully reversible, gradual spin crossover with a transition temperature of T_1/2 = 235(6) K and a transition width of ΔT₈₀ = 115(8) K. Our results show that by using a carbon-based substrate the spin-crossover behavior can be preserved even for molecules that are in direct contact with a solid surface.

Dr. Dennis Wiedemann

Technischer Berater für Umweltfragen
Chemiker · Kristallograph

Ich bin promovierter Chemiker und berate zu immissionsschutz- und wasserrechtlichen Genehmigungsfragen.