Dual-radical observation in a photoswitchable coordination polymer with synergy effect of semi-conductivity
In a study published in the journal National Science Review and led by Dr. Zhao-Yang Li (School of Material Science and Engineering, Nankai University) and Prof. Masahiro Yamashita (Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University), a photoisomerizable ligand was used to synthesize two VT coordination polymers, which display VT and photoconversion behavior.
Two crystallographically independent SQ·– radicals arranged along the 1D chain were observed in the open-form complex using SC-XRD. Therefore, two clearly distinct radical signals were observed in the high-field/-frequency single-crystal EPR spectra of a VT complex for the first time.
In their strategy, a pyridyl derivative of a diarylethene (DAE) ligand was used as the linker along with the Co-dioxolene unit, which is a classical VT building block, to form a VT CP with a chain structure. Light may promote the rearrangement of the crystal structure and further influence magnetic properties through modification of the ligand field (isomers differ substantially in shape and conjugation), leading to photocontrol and deep insight into organic radicals on a 1D chain.
An open-form and a closed-form complex were synthesized. Photoconversion between the open- and closed-form species (ligands and complexes) due to the effect of DAE ligand photoisomerization was explored through UV/vis absorption spectroscopy.
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