Amphiphilic iron(ii) complexes with short alkyl chains-crystal packing and spin transition properties

An amphiphilic iron(ii) spin crossover complex with relatively short octyl chains was synthesised and the crystal structures of the high spin and the low spin state could be determined. In further reactions, a second modification of the hexa-coordinated complex and two different penta-coordinated complexes could be obtained and characterised by X-ray structure analysis. The examples demonstrate an influence of the alkyl chains on the stoichiometry of the final product. Different arrangements of the alkyl chains were observed in the crystal packing. Despite those differences, the spin transition of the hexa-coordinated complexes is always gradual and comparable to that observed in solution. © 2014 The Partner Organisations.