Quantum-Chemical Study of Spin Transitions in Bimetallic Fe–M Complexes (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) with the 1,10-Phenanthroline Linker

Abstract

The structure, energies, and magnetic properties of electromeric forms of binuclear Fe–M complexes (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) with a 1,10-phenanthroline-based linker have been studied by the DFT UB3LYP*/6-311++G(d,p) method. Studying the spin-state switching mechanisms has demonstrated that all the compounds under consideration are capable of undergoing spin crossover at the iron ion. In solutions of complexes with cobalt and nickel bis-chelates, a competing process accompanied by the change in magnetic characteristics—configurational isomerism—is possible.