Stepwise spin-state switching in a manganese(III) complex

A mononuclear manganese(III) complex containing a flexible hexadentate chelating ligand has been prepared and characterized by performing, at various temperatures, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and magnetic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies. The complex was shown to consist of an MnN4O2 octahedral coordination environment, and to exhibit reversible two-step thermally induced spin-state switching, a gradual one at 168 K and an abrupt one at 103 K. Structural analyses revealed the existence of three spin-states, namely high-spin, low-spin, and intermediate states, during the spin-state switching process. Electrochemistry studies showed the quasi-reversible reduction and oxidation of the manganese(III) center with a comparatively easily accessible reduced state.