We have investigated the suitability of using the 1D spin crossover coordination polymer [Fe(4-(2’-hydroxyethyl)-1,2,4-triazole)₃]I₂∙H₂O, known to crossover around room temperature, as a pressure sensor via optical detection using various contact pressures up to 250 MPa. A dramatic persistent colour change is observed. The experimental data, obtained by calorimetric and Mössbauer measurements, have been used for a theoretical analysis, in the framework of the Ising-like model, of the thermal and pressure induced spin state switching. The pressure (P)-temperature (T) phase diagram calculated for this compound has been used to obtain the P-T bistability region.

The spin-crossover (SCO) compounds [Fe(Htrz)₃](BF₄)₂·H₂O (SCO-1) and [Fe(Htrz)₂trz]BF₄ (SCO-2) (Htrz = 1,2,4-triazole) were embedded in the pores of mesostructured silica MCM-41 to yield SCO@MCM composites as evidenced by electron microscopy, gas sorption studies, powder X-ray diffractometry, atomic absorption and infrared spectrometry. Studies of the temperature-induced spin crossover behavior of the composites by temperature-variable ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic and differential scanning calorimetry measurements and optical reflectivity indicate that the spin transition of the composites was significantly shifted for SCO-1@MCM to higher temperature in comparison to bulk SCO-1 compounds while the shift for SCO-2 was negligible. These shifts in the transition temperature for SCO-1@MCM [versus bulk SCO-1] amounted to T^↑ _c = 371/376 K [282/291 K] and T^↓ _c = 340/345 K [276/286 K] (magnetic/optical reflectivity data) with a broadening of the hysteresis by 25–26 K relative to bulk SCO-1 (varying slightly with the used method). The significant difference in the SCO behavior of the similar materials SCO-1 and SCO-2 when embedded in the MCM-41 matrix is assigned to the hydration of the SCO-1@MCM material. Water is apparently crucial in transmitting the confinement pressure or matrix effect on the spin transition when the SCO compound is embedded between the pore walls.

Three new pyridyltriazole ligands (named pyta) bearing a 4-substituted phenyl arm (nitro- (2a), chloro- (2b) or aminophenyl (2c) moiety) have been synthesized using a convenient click chemistry strategy. The corresponding tricarbonylrhenium complexes 3a, 3b and 3c were prepared and fully characterized by means of NMR, IR and mass spectrometry, as well as X-ray crystallography for two of them (3a and 3b). The direct connection of a 4-substituted phenyl arm at the N1 position of the triazolyl ring has a significant influence on the geometry of both, the ligands and their corresponding Re-complexes. The dominant structural feature of these complexes concerns the crystal cohesion. Slip-stacked π–π interactions between two molecules of the complex were observed for 3a and 3b probably resulting from the co-planarity of the organic framework. Furthermore, a combined experimental study and DFT calculations showed that the nature of the pendant arm (X = NO₂, NH₂ or Cl) could affect the electronic properties of the Re-complexes. If the chloro- or aminophenyl moieties unmodified the photo-physical properties of the complexes 3b and 3c, the presence of a nitrophenyl arm for the complex 3a quenched the luminescence, due to a high probability of non-radiative deactivation.