Spin crossover of ferric complexes with catecholate derivatives. Single-crystal X-ray structure, magnetic and Mössbauer investigations.

Complexes of general formula [(TPA)Fe(R-Cat)]X·nS were synthesised with different catecholate derivatives and anions (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, R-Cat2− = 4,5-(NO2)2-Cat2− denoted DNC2−; 3,4,5,6-Cl4-Cat2− denoted TCC2−; 3-OMe-Cat2−; 4-Me-Cat2− and X = BPh4−; NO3−; PF6−; ClO4−; S = solvent molecule). Their magnetic behaviours in the solid state show a general feature along the series, viz., the occurrence of a thermally-induced spin crossover process. The transition curves are continuous with transition temperatures ranging from ca. 84 to 257 K. The crystal structures of [(TPA)Fe(DNC)]X (X = PF6−; BPh4−) and [(TPA)Fe(TCC)]X·nS (X = PF6−; NO3− and n = 1, S = H2O; ClO4− and n = 1, S = H…