First example of coexistence of thermal spin transition and liquid-crystal properties

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/1521-3773(20011119)40:22<4269::AID-ANIE4269>3.0.CO;2-8

The rodlike Fe^III complex of an N-alkyloxysalicylidenyl-N′-ethyl-N-ethylenediamine ligand, shown as a computer model in the picture, is the first compound in which spin-crossover (SC) and liquid-crystalline (LC) properties coexist. This synergy should allow the magnetic and optical properties of SC compounds to be combined with the sensitivity of the LC state to electromagnetic fields.