Publications by authors named "Letard J"

External control over the mechanical function of materials is paramount in the development of nanoscale machines. Yet, exploiting changes in atomic behaviour to produce controlled scalable motion is a formidable challenge. Here, we present an ultra-flexible coordination framework material in which a cooperative electronic transition induces an extreme abrupt change in the crystal lattice conformation.

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Spin-crossover (SCO) triazole-based coordination polymers can be synthesized by micelle techniques, which almost always lead to rod-shaped nanoparticles. In order to notably reach new morphologies, we explore here the potentiality of the spray-drying (SD) method to get SCO materials. Three SCO coordination polymers and a mononuclear complex are investigated.

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A four-stepped cascade of Fe(ii) high spin (HS) to low spin (LS) states is demonstrated in a family of 2-D Hofmann materials, [Fe(saltrz)(M(CN))]·8(HO) (M = Pd ( ), Pt ( ); saltrz = ()-2-(((4-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)imino)methyl)phenol). Alongside the fully HS and LS Fe(ii) states, fractional spin state stabilization occurs at HS/LS values of 5/6, 2/3, and 1/6. This unconventional spin state periodicity is driven by the presence of multiple spin crossover (SCO) active Fe(ii) sites which are in subtly distinct environments driven by a network of antagonistic host-host and host-guest interactions.

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Spin-crossover crystals show multi-step responses to femtosecond light excitation. The local molecular photo-switching from low to high spin states occurs on sub-picosecond timescale. It is followed by additional conversion due to elastic (ns) and thermal (μs) effects.

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Background: Colonoscopic screening is recommended for first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) or colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP) before the age of 60 years. This has the potential to reduce CRC-related morbidity and mortality, but uptake is currently inadequate.

Methods: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of standard information versus a nurse-led tailored intervention designed to promote uptake of colonoscopy screening by siblings of CRC or CAP patients.

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Temperature- and coverage-dependent studies of the Au(1 1 1)-supported spin crossover Fe(II) complex (SCO) of the type [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)] with a suite of surface-sensitive spectroscopy and microscopy tools show that the substrate inhibits thermally induced transitions of the molecular spin state, so that both high-spin and low-spin states are preserved far beyond the spin transition temperature of free molecules. Scanning tunneling microscopy confirms that [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)] grows as ordered, molecular bilayer islands at sub-monolayer coverage and as disordered film at higher coverage. The temperature dependence of the electronic structure suggest that the SCO films exhibit a mixture of spin states at room temperature, but upon cooling below the spin crossover transition the film spin state is best described as a mix of high-spin and low-spin state molecules of a ratio that is constant.

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We combine ultrafast optical spectroscopy with femtosecond X-ray absorption to study the photo-switching dynamics of the [Fe(PM-AzA)2(NCS)2] spin-crossover molecular solid. The light-induced excited spin-state trapping process switches the molecules from low spin to high spin (HS) states on the sub-picosecond timescale. The change of the electronic state (<50 fs) induces a structural reorganization of the molecule within 160 fs.

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The Schiff-base condensation of the R,R-(+)-diamine () with 2,6-diacetyl pyridine in the presence of Fe(II) affords the macrocyclic complex [Fe(dpN3O2)(CN)2] () (dp = diphenyl) with ligand centred chirality comprising of a 1 : 1 mixture of LS 6- and HS 7-coordinate Fe(II) centres. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer studies reveal that () undergoes an incomplete thermal SCO transition with a T1/2 = 250 K as well as a LIESST effect. In contrast its racemic counterpart () comprises of mostly LS Fe(II) and exhibits no LIESST properties.

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Few photoactive molecules undergo a complete transformation of physical properties (magnetism, optical absorption, etc.) when irradiated with light. Such phenomena can happen on the time scale of fundamental atomic motions leading to an entirely new state within less than 1 ps following light absorption.

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We study the basic mechanisms allowing light to photoswitch at the molecular scale a spin-crossover material from a low- to a high-spin state. Combined femtosecond x-ray absorption performed at LCLS X-FEL and optical spectroscopy reveal that the structural stabilization of the photoinduced high-spin state results from a two step structural trapping. Molecular breathing vibrations are first activated and rapidly damped as part of the energy is sequentially transferred to molecular bending vibrations.

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The photomagnetic properties of a new Fe(II) macrocyclic family [Fe(L(xyz)N5)(CN)2]·nH2O were investigated with respect to the T(LIESST) versus T(1/2) relationship. These compounds are diamagnetic below 400 K with T(LIESST) values above 100 K, which indicates that this family presents an unconventional LIESST effect that is much higher than the expected T0 = 180 K line for macrocyclic complexes.

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The expected 3D and 2D topologies resulting from combining approximately linear bis- or monopyridyl ligands with [Fe(II)M(II)(CN)4] (M(II) = Pt, Pd, Ni) 4,4-grid sheets are well established. We show here the magnetic and structural consequences of incorporating a bent bispyridyl linker ligand in combination with [Fe(II)Pt(II)(CN)4] to form the material [Fe(H2O)2Fe(DPSe)2(Pt(CN)4)2]·3EtOH (DPSe = 4,4'-dipyridylselenide). Structural investigations reveal an unusual connectivity loosely resembling a 3D Hofmann topology where (1) there are two distinct local iron(II) environments, [Fe(II)N6] (Fe1) and [Fe(II)N4O2] (Fe2), (2) as a consequence of axial water coordination to Fe2, there are "holes" in the [Fe(II)Pt(II)(CN)4] 4,4 sheets because of some of the cyanido ligands being terminal rather than bridging, and (3) bridging of adjacent sheets occurs only through one in two DPSe ligands, with the other acting as a terminal ligand binding through only one pyridyl group.

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Two new isostructural iron(II) spin-crossover (SCO) framework (SCOF) materials of the type [Fe(dpms)2(NCX)2] (dpms = 4,4'-dipyridylmethyl sulfide; X = S (SCOF-6(S)), X = Se (SCOF-6(Se))) have been synthesized. The 2D framework materials consist of undulating and interpenetrated rhomboid (4,4) nets. SCOF-6(S) displays an incomplete SCO transition with only approximately 30 % conversion of high-spin (HS) to low-spin iron(II) sites over the temperature range 300-4 K (T1/2 = 75 K).

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Two oxazolidine nitroxide complexes of cobalt(II), [Co(II)(L(•))2](B(C6F5)4)2·CH2Cl2 (1) and [Co(II)(L(•))2](B(C6F5)4)2·2Et2O (2), where, L(•) is the tridentate chelator 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bis(2-pyridyl)oxazolidine N-oxide, have been investigated by crystallographic, magnetic, reflectivity, and theoretical (DFT) methods. This work follows on from a related study on [Co(II)(L(•))2](NO3)2 (3), a multifunctional complex that simultaneously displays magnetic exchange, spin crossover, and single molecule magnetic features. Changing the anion and the nature of solvation in the present crystalline species leads to significant differences, not only between 1 and 2 but also in comparison to 3.

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The effects of metal dilution on the spin-crossover behavior of iron(II) in the mixed crystal series [Fe(x)Zn(1-x)(bpp)2](NCSe)2 (bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine) have been studied using magnetic susceptibility, photomagnetism and diffuse reflectivity measurements. For each mixed-crystal system, the thermal spin transition temperature, T(1/2), and the relaxation temperature of the photo-induced high-spin state, T(LIESST), have been systematically determined. It appears that T(1/2) decreases with the metal dilution while T(LIESST) remains unchanged.

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The two-step spin crossover in mononuclear iron(III) complex [Fe(salpm)2 ]ClO4 ⋅0.5 EtOH (1) is shown to be accompanied by a structural phase transition as concluded from (57) Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction, with spin-state ordering on just one of two sub-lattices in the intermediate magnetic and structural phase. The complex also exhibits thermal- and light-induced spin-state trapping (TIESST and LIESST), and relaxation from the LIESST and TIESST excited states occurs via the broken symmetry intermediate phase.

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The spin state of [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)] thin films is mediated by changes in the electric field at the interface of organic ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride with trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE). Signatures of the molecular crossover transition are evident in changes in the unoccupied states and the related shift from diamagnetic to paramagnetic characteristics. This may point the way to the molecular magneto-electric effect on devices.

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Vibrational spectra of the spin crossover (SCO) polymers [Fe(NH2trz)3](X)2·nH2O where NH2trz = 4-NH2-1,2,4-triazole and X = Cl, Br, BF4, and NO3 have been analyzed. Our results show that the anions and water molecules have no significant influence on the vibrational properties of the Fe(NH2-trz)3 polymer chains. A detailed study of the nitrate derivative, based on the DFT analysis of the polarized spectra of single crystals, has been undertaken to propose the normal mode assignment of the Raman peaks in the low spin state of the compound.

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The syntheses, crystallography and magnetic properties of a series of compounds of formula trans-[Fe(II)(L(1))2(NCX)2] (X = S, Se, BH3 (1-3)), cis-[Fe(II)(L(2))(NCX)2]·CH2Cl2 (X = S, Se, BH3 (4-6)) and trans-[Fe(II)(L(3))(NCX)2]n (X = S, Se (7-8)) are described (L(1) = 6-chloro-N(2),N(2)-diethyl-N(4),N(4)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, L(2) = 6,6'-(1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane-7,16-diyl)bis(N(2),N(2)-diethyl-N(4),N(4)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, L(3) = 6,6'-(1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane-7,16-diyl)bis(N(2),N(2),N(4),N(4)-tetra(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine)). The magnetostructural properties of 1-8 have been probed in detail by variable temperature magnetic measurements and crystallographic methods. 1-6 display mononuclear structures while 7 and 8 form 1-D chain structures.

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The pressure dependencies of the lattice parameters of the spin transition compound [Fe(PM-BiA)2(NCS)2] have been derived from neutron powder diffraction measurements at low temperature. The study of the compound [Fe(PM-BiA)2(NCS)2]-pI has first confirmed the atypical spin crossover behaviour under pressure of this compound that shows a pressure induced structural transition inducing the transformation into a different polymorph, [Fe(PM-BiA)2(NCS)2]-pII. This phenomenon avoids a first-order spin transition in favour of continuous transition around 0.

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The insertion of a [Fe(sal2-trien)](+) complex cation into a 2D oxalate network in the presence of different solvents results in a family of hybrid magnets with coexistence of magnetic ordering and photoinduced spin-crossover (LIESST effect) in compounds [Fe(III)(sal2-trien)][Mn(II)Cr(III)(ox)3]·CHCl3 (1·CHCl3), [Fe(III)(sal2-trien)][Mn(II)Cr(III)(ox)3]·CHBr3 (1·CHBr3), and [Fe(III)(sal2-trien)][Mn(II)Cr(III)(ox)3]·CH2Br2 (1·CH2Br2). The three compounds crystallize in a 2D honeycomb anionic layer formed by Mn(II) and Cr(III) ions linked through oxalate ligands and a layer of [Fe(sal2-trien)](+) complexes and solvent molecules (CHCl3, CHBr3, or CH2Br2) intercalated between the 2D oxalate network. The magnetic properties and Mössbauer spectroscopy indicate that they undergo long-range ferromagnetic ordering at 5.

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Two new complexes belonging to the family [Fe(II)(L)2(NCX)2] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexation of the ligand L(O) = 2,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole results in the formation of two derivatives of [Fe(II)(L(O))2(NCS)2] (1) with the common s-trans and the rarely observed s-cis conformation. No thermal spin crossover (SCO) was observed for the amorphous bulk material of the mixture.

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The novel hexadentate nitrogen based ligand N,N'-bis-(2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine-6-ylmethyl)-2,2'-biphenylenediamine (3) was synthesized and used for the preparation of iron Spin Crossover (SCO) complexes [Fe(3)][BF4]2 (4) and [Fe(3)][ClO4]2 (5), which differ only by the respective counter ion. These complex salts show different spin transition temperatures T(1/2) (135 and 157 K, respectively). This effect was studied by the investigation of the solid state structure of different low- and high-spin isomers.

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Background And Study Aims: In France, in about 5% of cases colonoscopies are incomplete or temporarily contraindicated.We tested the diagnostic yield of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) in these patients.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective study, in 17 French centers, inclusion criteria were colonoscopy failure or general disease that excluded colonoscopy with anesthesia.

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