New strategy unlocks magnetic switching via hydrogen bonds at the molecular level

By introducing a chiral carboxylic acid as a hydrogen bond donor, the research team induced precise magnetic switching behavior in an assembly of cobalt-iron molecules controlled by temperature changes. Credit: Yoshihiro Sekine, Shinya Hayami, Kumamoto University
A research team at Kumamoto University has successfully developed a new approach to create switchable magnetic materials using hydrogen bonds at the molecular level. Their work shows how certain metal complexes, previously unresponsive to external stimuli, can exhibit sharp and complete magnetic transitions by introducing chiral hydrogen bonds.
The research team, led by Associate Professor Yoshihiro Sekine from the Priority Organization for Innovation and Excellence (POIE), has created a switchable molecule composed of cobalt (Co2⁺) and iron (Fe3⁺) ions that are normally insensitive to external reactions. Focused on creating collectives. stimulation. The study will be published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
The team’s innovation is that by incorporating hydrogen bonds through chiral carboxylic acids, the molecules can now switch between magnetic states (paramagnetic and diamagnetic) with surprising precision. These assemblies, called “molecular Prussian blue analogues,” show the possibility of controlled electron transfer between cobalt and iron ions, something that has not been achievable with conventional materials.
Another important finding of this study is the role of molecular chirality in the performance of these assemblies. Enantiopure hydrogen bond donor (HBD) molecules allowed sharp and complete magnetic transitions, whereas racemic mixtures resulted in disordered structures with broad and incomplete transitions. This highlights the importance of precise molecular positioning in the development of functional materials with predictable behavior.
“Chiral hydrogen bonding units are important for achieving the cooperative and abrupt phase transitions we observed,” said Associate Professor Sekine. “This opens new avenues for designing switchable materials at the molecular level.”
These discoveries could lead to the development of advanced materials for magnetic storage, sensors, and other electronic applications. This study highlights that subtle changes in molecular structure can lead to dramatic differences in material behavior, providing new avenues for the development of functional molecular machines and smart materials.
Further information: Riku Fukushima et al., Construction of the smallest Prussian blue analogue using chiral hydrogen bond donor units towards complete phase transition, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05065
Provided by Kumamoto University
Citation: New strategy unlocks magnetic switching with hydrogen bonds at the molecular level (October 18, 2024) https://phys.org/news/2024-10-strategy-magnetic-hydrogen-bonding Retrieved October 18, 2024 from -molecular.html
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