Chiral spin-crossover complexes based on an enantiopure Schiff base ligand with three chiral carbon centers.

The preparation of Fe(II) complexes combining monodentate NCX (X = S or Se) and the tetradentate Schiff base chiral ligands -L and -L = (- or -L = 1,2 or 1,2)-,-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylen)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine in acetone results in an unexpected reaction. Thus, four enantiomerically pure compounds of formulas [Fe(-L)(NCX)] and [Fe(-L)(NCX)] (X = S or Se) are formed by the new asymmetrical ligand L. In L, one acetone solvent molecule is incorporated into the ligand forming a bond with the C atom of one of the two CN imine groups of L, which is transformed into an amine (Mannich reaction). This reaction is diastereoselective as the incorporation of acetone leads to an asymmetric C adjacent to the NH group with opposite chirality - or - to that of the cyclohexane carbons (- or -, respectively). Therefore, L contains three C chiral centers. Structural and magnetic characterization of these compounds demonstrates that they show in the bulk a gradual spin-crossover behavior and LIESST effect. Interestingly, the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the integrated acetone molecule and the NH group can trigger a secondary stimuli-responsive behavior in the system. Therefore, by changing the solvent polarity, the color of the complex in solution can be easily tuned.