We report on a polymer-waveguide-based temperature sensing system relying on switchable molecular complexes. The polymer waveguide cladding is fabricated using a maskless lithographic optical system and replicated onto polymer material (i.e., PMMA) using a hot embossing device. An iron-amino-triazole molecular complex material (i.e., [Fe(Htrz)_2.85(NH₂-trz)_0.15](ClO₄)₂) is used to sense changes in ambient temperature. For this purpose, the core of the waveguide is filled with a mixture of core material (NOA68), and the molecular complex using doctor blading and UV curing is applied for solidification. The absorption spectrum of the molecular complex in the UV/VIS light range features two prominent absorption bands in the low-spin state. As temperature approaches room temperature, a spin-crossover transition occurs, and the molecular complex changes its color (i.e. spectral properties) from violet-pink to white. The measurement of the optical power transmitted through the waveguide as a function of temperature exhibits a memory effect with a hysteresis width of approx. 12 °C and sensitivity of 0.08 mW/°C. This enables optical rather than electronic temperature detection in environments where electromagnetic interference might influence the measurements.

Two iron(III) spin crossover complexes [Fe(⁵Cl-L)(NCS)] (1) and [Fe(⁵Cl-L)(NCSe)] (2) were synthesized with the pentadentate Schiff base ligand ⁵Cl-L and thiocyanato and selenocyanato as coligands. ⁵Cl-L, as an asymmetric {N₃O₂} donor Schiff base, was synthesized by a condensation reaction of 5-chlorosalicyladehyde using the asymmetric N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine. The complexes exhibited a spin crossover at 280 (1) and 293 K (2), respectively, and were subjected to electron spin resonance (ESR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy at 77, 295 and 325 K. Ab initio CASSCF calculations followed by the NEVPT2 method were applied for predicting the g-tensor components as well as Mössbauer parameters.