Molecule-Based Valence Tautomeric Bistability Synchronized with a Macroscopic Crystal-Melt Phase Transition

Here, we show a synchronic bistability of valence tautomeric (VT) molecular interconversion and a macroscopic crystal-melt phase transition in long alkoxy-functionalized cobalt-dioxolene complexes. Studies have been carried out for a novel series of complexes, [Co(CnOpy)2(3,6-DTBQ)2] (3,5-dialkoxy(CnH2 n+1O-; n = 9, 12, and 17)pyridine (CnOpy) and 3,6-di-tert-butyl semiquinonate or catecholate ligands (3,6-DTBQ)). All complexes show the molecular VT interconversion with thermal hysteresis attributed to the synchronous crystal-melt phase transition. Thermodynamic analysis has revealed that the molecular VT interconversion is restricted over 50 K and crystal-melt phase transition is accelerated about 50 K by the synchronicity. The synchronicity is attributed to enthalpic and entropic effects of the alkoxy chains in the crystalline phase of the one tautomer and the melt phase of the other, respectively. Our results show efficient chemical and thermodynamic strategies to combine molecule-based and macroscopic bistabilities.