Reversible single crystal photochemistry and spin state switching in a metal-cyanide complex.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41022694.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-63523-x and PMC identifier 12480581.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
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.