The interplay of iron(ii) spin transition and polymorphism

Abstract

The mononuclear compound (1) [Fe^II(L)₂](BF₄)₂ (L = 4-ethynyl-2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) was prepared and structurally as well as magnetically characterised. The crystallisation revealed the formation of two polymorphs – the orthorhombic 1A and the tetragonal form 1B. A third, intermediate phase 1C was found exhibiting a different orthorhombic space group. Reversibility of the phase transition between 1A and 1C was studied by variable-temperature single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies, while an irreversible phase transition was observed for the transition of 1B→1C. The magnetic studies show that the 1A↔1C transition is accompanied by a very abrupt spin transition (ST) with 8 K hysteresis width (T_1/2(↓) = 337 K, T_1/2(↑) = 345 K). The ST was confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy as well as by DSC studies. In contrast, the 1B polymorph remained low-spin up to 420 K. In conclusion, a full cycle of intertwined phase- and spin-conversions of three polymorphs could be proven following the general scheme 1B→1C↔1A.