The
spin-crossover (SCO) polymorph B (complex 1) of the known compound [FeII{N(CN)2}2(abpt)2], where abpt is 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole,
has been prepared in three different particle sizes averaging ∼300
(sample 1a), ∼80 (sample 1b), and
∼20 nm (sample 1c). Two independent octahedral
molecules possessing Fe1 and Fe2 were found to be present in the crystal
of B. Magnetostructural relationships had established
that at room temperature both FeII sites are in the high-spin
state (HS-HS), whereas a decrease in the temperature to 90 K induces
the complete high-spin to low-spin conversion of the Fe1 site, with
Fe2 remaining in the high-spin state (LS-HS). The three samples have
been characterized by elemental analyses, ATR spectra, solution UV/vis
spectra (to exclude resonance Raman effects) and powder X-ray diffraction
patterns, while their morphological characteristics have been examined
by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SCO behavior of the originally
prepared sample 1a has been monitored in detail by variable-temperature
Raman studies in the 300–80 K range using mainly low-frequency
ν(Fe–N) and δ(NFeN) modes and the ν(CN)
mode of the axial dicyanamido groups as spin-sensitive vibrations.
The new peaks that appear in the low-temperature Raman spectra of
the LS-HS form of the complex are reproduced in the calculated spectrum
of the LS state of [FeII{N(CN)2}2(abpt)2]. The influence of the average particle size on
the SCO properties of 1 has also been studied by variable-temperature
Raman spectra. The studies indicate that, during the HS-HS →
LS-HS transition, the latter form of the complex appears at higher
temperatures for the smaller particles; the T
1/2 shift accomplished by manipulating the particle size within
a range of roughly 1 order of magnitude (300–20 nm) may be
as high as ∼30 K. The SCO features of 1, as deduced
from the Raman study, are in excellent agreement with those derived
from a traditional variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility study,
indicating the utility of the former.