A thermochromic 1D spin crossover coordination (SCO) polymer [Fe(βAlatrz)3](BF4)2⋅2 H2O (1⋅2 H2O), whose precursor βAlatrz, (1,2,4-triazol-4-yl-propionate) has been tailored from a β-amino acid ester is investigated in detail by a set of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), (57)Fe Mössbauer, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared, and Raman measurements. An hysteretic abrupt two-step spin crossover (T1/2(↓) = 230 K and T1/2(↑) = 235 K, and T1/2(↓) = 172 K and T1/2(↑) = 188 K, respectively) is registered for the first time for a 1,2,4-triazole-based Fe(II) 1D coordination polymer. The two-step SCO configuration is observed in a 1:2 ratio of low-spin/high-spin in the intermediate phase for a 1D chain. The origin of the stepwise transition was attributed to a distribution of chains of different lengths in 1⋅2 H2O after First Order Reversal Curves (FORC) analyses. A detailed DFT analysis allowed us to propose the normal mode assignment of the Raman peaks in the low-spin and high-spin states of 1⋅2 H2O. Vibrational spectra of 1⋅2 H2O reveal that the BF4(-) anions and water molecules play no significant role on the vibrational properties of the [Fe(βAlatrz)3](2+) polymeric chains, although non-coordinated water molecules have a dramatic influence on the emergence of a step in the spin transition curve. The dehydrated material [Fe(βAlatrz)3](BF4)2 (1) reveals indeed a significantly different magnetic behavior with a one-step SCO which was also investigated.

A β-aminoacid ester was successfully derivatized to yield to 4H-1,2-4-triazol-4-yl-propionate (βAlatrz) which served as a neutral bidentate ligand in the 1D coordination polymer [Fe(βAlatrz)3](CF3SO3)2·0.5H2O (1·0.5H2O). The temperature dependence of the high-spin molar fraction derived from 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy recorded on cooling below room temperature reveals an exceptionally abrupt single step transition between high-spin and low-spin states with a hysteresis loop of width 4 K (Tc↑ = 232 K and Tc↓ = 228 K) in agreement with magnetic susceptibility measurements. The material presents striking reversible thermochromism from white, at room temperature, to pink on quench cooling to liquid nitrogen, and acts as an alert towards temperature variations. The phase transition is of first order, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, with transition temperatures matching the ones determined by SQUID and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The freshly prepared sample of 1·0.5H2O, dried in air, was subjected to annealing at 390 K, and the obtained white compound [Fe(βAlatrz)3](CF3SO3)2 (1) was found to exhibit a similar spin transition curve however much temperature was increased by (Tc↑ = 252 K and Tc↓ = 248 K). The removal of lattice water molecules from 1·0.5H2O is not accompanied by a change of the morphology and of the space group, and the chain character is preserved. However, an internal pressure effect stabilizing the low-spin state is evidenced.

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A new 1D coordination polymer [Fe(βAlatrz) 3 ](ClO 4 ) 2 •H 2 O (1) with a neutral bidentate ligand, βAlatrz = 4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl-propionate, was prepared and its magnetic behavior was investigated by temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements and 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the high-spin molar fraction derived from 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy recorded on cooling below room temperature reveals a gradual single step transition with T 1/2 = 173 K between high-spin and low-spin states in agreement with magnetic susceptibility measurements. 1 presents striking reversible thermochromism from white, at room temperature, to pink on quench cooling to liquid nitrogen. The phase transition is of first order as deduced from differential scanning calorimetry, with T 1/2 matching the one determined by both SQUID and 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. A brief assessment has been made among closely related 1D coordination polymers to perceive the effect of ligand spacer length and anion effect on the spin crossover behavior of these new materials.

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