Light-Induced Bidirectional Metal-to-Metal Charge Transfer in a Linear Fe2 Co Complex.

It is a challenge to reversibly switch both magnetism and polarity using light irradiation. Herein we report a linear Fe2 Co complex, whereby interconversion between FeIIILS (μ-CN)CoIIHS (μ-NC)FeIIILS (LS=low-spin, HS=high-spin) and FeIIILS (μ-CN)CoIIILS (μ-NC)FeIILS linkages could be achieved upon heating and cooling, or alternating laser irradiation at 808 and 532 nm. The electron spin arrangement and charge distribution were simultaneously tuned accompanying bidirectional metal-to-metal charge transfer, providing switchable polarity and magnetism in the complex.