Spin Crossover in Tetranuclear Cyanide-Bridged Iron(II) Square Complexes: A Theoretical Study

Spin crossover in a series of six cyanide-bridged iron(II) tetranuclear square complexes was analyzed using density functional theory (DFT) methods. As the spin crossover between the low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states can occur only for two of four iron ions, we characterized energetically and structurally the [LS-LS], [HS-LS], and [HS-HS] spin-state isomers. For all studied complexes, the energy of the mixed [HS-LS] spin state does not deviate essentially from the halfway point between the energies of homogeneous spin states, thereby satisfying the conditions for an one-step transition between the [LS-LS] and [HS-HS]. This fact reflects the weak elastic coupling between the environments of transiting centers. The two-step spin transition observed in one complex can appear only due to the crystal packing effects. We also evaluated the strength of exchange coupling between the paramagnetic ions in the [HS-HS] state.