Investigation of anion-dependence in the spin-state switching properties of [(H 2 bip) 2 Fe(6-Mebpy)]X 2

We report the syntheses, characterisations and magnetic properties of salts of the heteroleptic Fe(II) complex [(H(2)bip)(2)Fe(6-Mebpy)]X(2) (X = Br (1), BPh(4) (2), H(2)bip = 2,2'-bi-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine, 6-Mebpy = 6-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine). The ditopic H(2)bip ligand serves as an anion binding group while 6-Mebpy is intended to adjust the complex ligand field. Thermally induced spin-crossover properties are observed in the solid state and solution, and are heavily influenced by the nature of the anion. Anion-triggered spin-state switching is observed for the heteroleptic complex in dichloromethane solution at 193 K, above background processes of ligand dissociation and rearrangement. Although substitution of 6-Mebpy appears to increase the ligand field encountered by the Fe(II) ion, salt 2 responds to bromide at a significantly lower temperature than the parent homoleptic complex salt [Fe(H(2)bip)(3)](BPh(4))(2).