Magnetic properties of iron(III) complexes with photoisomerizable ligands

New spin-crossover Iron(III) complexes [Fe(salten)(trans-stpy)]BPh4.(CH3)(2)CO . 0.5H(2)O 1 and [Fe(salten)(cis-stpy)]BPh4 2 with cis-trans photoisomerizable ligands have been synthesized and characterized, where trans-stpy is trans-4-styrylpyridine and cis-stpy cis-4-styrylpyridine, and salten denotes bis(3-salicylideneaminopropyl)amine, which is a quinquedentate Schiff base derived from the condensation of salicylaldehyde and di(3-aminopropyl)amine. The data of the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements for the complexes show that 1 and 2 exhibit spin-crossover phenomena in a solid. The spin-state transition temperature of 1 is lower than that of 2. The temperature dependencies of the Mossbauer spectra for the complexes also provide evidence that spin-state transitions between the high- and low-spin states take place, and that the rates of the spin interexchange at 298 K are faster than the inverse of the lifetime (1 x 10(-7) s) of the Mossbauer nucleus. A temperature dependence of the UV-visible spectra suggesting spin-equilibrium in acetonitrile solution was obtained. The X-ray diffraction structures of single crystals of 1 and 2 were determined. Crystal data for 1: C60H61N4O3.5FeB, space group P (1) over bar (#2), Z = 2, a = 14.83(1), b = 17.98(1), c = 11.31(2) Angstrom, alpha = 103.71(8), beta = 110.60(8), gamma = 94.31(7)degrees, V = 2702(5) Angstrom(3), R = 14.0%, R-w = 17.2%. Crystal data for 2: C57H54N4O2FeB, space group P2(1)/n (#14), Z = 4, a = 14.823(9), b = 17.417(7), c = 18.37(1) Angstrom, beta = 95.331(8)degrees, V = 4722(3) Angstrom(3). The coordination cores of both complexes have trans coordination in oxygen atoms. Although light irradiation to 1 in acetonitrile brings about isomerization from trans- to cis- of styrylpyridine, the change in the spin-state of the complexes is not clear.