Magnetoelectricity Enhanced by Electron Redistribution in a Spin Crossover [FeCo] Complex

Molecular-based magnetoelectric materials are among the most promising materials for next-generation magnetoelectric memory devices. However, practical application of existing molecular systems has proven difficult largely because the polarization change is far lower than the practical threshold of the ME memory devices. Herein, we successfully obtained an [FeCo] dinuclear complex that exhibits a magnetic field-induced spin crossover process, resulting in a significant polarization change of 0.45 μC cm-2. Mössbauer spectroscopy and theoretical calculations suggest that the asymmetric structural change, coupled with electron redistribution, leads to the observed polarization change. Our approach provides a new strategy toward rationally enhancing the polarization change.