Synthesis, Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Two Coordination Assemblies of Mn(III) Single Molecule Magnets Bridged via Photochromic Diarylethene Ligands.

Two new coordination assemblies were prepared by combining the open and close forms of 1,2-bis(5-carboxyl-2-methyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (H2dae) with [Mn2(saltmen)2(H2O)2](PF6)2, where H2saltmen = 2,2'-((1 E,1' E)-((2,3-dimethylbutane-2,3-diyl)bis(azaneylylidene)) bis(methaneylylidene))diphenol. From X-ray diffraction analyses, the complexes had the following formula: [Mn2(saltmen)2(dae-open)] (1open) and [Mn(saltmen)(dae-close)]·H2O·Et3N (1close). Both complexes crystallized in the C2/ c monoclinic space group. In 1open, dae-o2- behaves as a bidentate ligand attached to the outer Mn-saltmen monomer via the oxygen atom of carboxylato groups, whereas in 1close, the dae-c2- ligand behaves as a monodentate ligand attached to the external Mn-saltmen dimer by only one carboxylato group of the photochromic ligand. The complexes showed reversible photochromic responses to UV/vis light and showed single-molecule magnet-like behavior. The relaxation times and energy barriers of the metal complexes are clearly affected by UV/vis irradiation.