Photochromism and Photomagnetism of a 3d-4f Hexacyanoferrate at Room Temperature

Polycyanometallate compounds with both photochromism and photomagnetism have appealing applications in optical switches and memories, but such optical behaviors were essentially restricted to the cryogenic temperature. We realized, for the first time, the photochromism and photomagnetism of 3d-4f hexacyanoferrates at room temperature (RT) in [Eu-III(18C6)(H2O)3]Fe-III(CN)(6)center dot 2H(2)O (18C6 = 18-crown-6). Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from crown to Fe(III) yields long-lived charge-separated species at RT in air in the solid state and also weakens the magnetic susceptibility significantly. The PET mechanism and changing trend of photomagnetism differ significantly from those reported for known 3d-4f hexacyanoferrates. This work not only develops a new type of inorganic organic hybrid photochromic material but opens a new avenue for RT photomagnetic polycyanometallate compounds.