Bidirectional Photomagnetic Conversions in a Spin-Crossover Complex with a Diarylethene Moiety

Magnetic switch: An iron(II) complex with a diarylethene moiety was synthesized and its magnetic properties were investigated. The complex exhibited four unique electronic states based on high‐ and low‐spin iron(II), as well as open‐ and closed‐forms of the diarylethene moiety (see scheme). The complex showed switchable spin states based on light‐induced excited‐spin‐state trapping in the solid state, as well as through photocyclization reactions in butyronitrile.