Reversible single crystal photochemistry and spin state switching in a metal-cyanide complex
Manipulating the physical properties of solid matter using only photons is a major challenge in materials science. However, achieving such control over a chemical reaction in the solid state is even more challenging. Here we demonstrate the reversible photochemistry occurring in a single crystal of a simple cyanide complex, K<sub>4</sub>[Mo<sup>III</sup>(CN)<sub>7</sub>]·2H<sub>2</sub>O. Upon exposure to visible light at different wavelengths, a reversible breaking and reformation of dative bonds is triggered, resulting in a photoswitching of the Mo<sup>III</sup> coordination geometry between 6- and 7-coordinate. This transformation, in turn, induces a spin state change. The observed solid-state photochemical reactivity is robust, quantitative and occurs at a record-high temperature. It paves the way for the development of new photo-switchable high-temperature magnets and nanomagnets.
Authors
- Leszek M. Malec (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0540-375X)
- F. Wilhelm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4425-3662)
- Coen de Graaf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8114-6658)
- Rodolphe Clérac (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7515-7593)
- Michał Magott (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4566-2636)
- Andreï Rogalev (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0501-698X)
- Mirosław Arczyński (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1948-9558)
- Corine Mathonière (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4774-1610)
- Thomas Lohmiller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0373-1506)
- Mathieu Rouzières (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3457-3133)
- Michał Rams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9816-5492)
- Dawid Pinkowicz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9958-3116)
- Alexander Schnegg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2362-0638)
- Itziar Oyarzabal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9149-2511)
Institutions
- Ikerbasque (ES)
- Hiroshima University (JP)
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Jagiellonian University (PL)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Université de Bordeaux (FR)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (DE)
- Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures (ES)
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (FR)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (DE)
- Centre de recherche Paul Pascal (FR)
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63523-x
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Magnetism in coordination complexes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.71
Funders
- Diamond Light Source
- European Commission
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Université de Bordeaux
- Infrastruktura PL-Grid
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- Academic Computer Centre Cyfronet, AGH University of Science and Technology