Molecular switches based on iron complexes with functionalized scorpionate ligands

This master thesis project consists in the synthesis and characterization of molecular switches, specifically the focus is on monometallic spin-crossover (SCO) complexes of Fe(II) with fac-tridentate ligands from the "scorpionate" family, and on the synthesis of new functionalized polymetallic assemblies. Molecular switches are promising candidates for the development of responsive materials in the field of molecular electronics and spintronics, thanks to the possibility to reversibly change their physical properties through external stimuli (such as pressure, temperature, light irradiation, electric field). Scorpionate ligands can be specifically designed to enable the use of switches in molecular materials with the desired application, due to the new properties that these ligands can bring to inorganic switchable systems.