Design, structure, and properties of functional metal–ligand inorganic modules

From the standpoint of supramolecular chemistry major advances have been made concerning the functional properties of metal–ligand-based coordination complexes/extended solids/polymers. This paper reviews recent results from our laboratories on two contemporary areas of research: (i) spin-crossover FeIIN6 complexes which are representative examples of molecular bistability and (ii) synthesis of tailor-made transition-metal-based 1D coordination polymers and investigation of their magnetic exchange phenomena from the standpoint of molecule-based magnetic materials. Our primary focus is on the magnetic properties which seem to hold promise for future applications. It has been shown that covalent bond-driven discrete complexes/coordination polymers are further stabilized by association due to multiple weak, noncovalent interactions. In the design of FeIIN6 complexes our laboratories have so far relied on synthesis of discrete molecules. However, they are connected by noncovalent interactions, imparting cooperativity.