LAUSR

Abstract The synthesis, structural and magnetic characterization of the tris iron(II) complex of 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (ppCOOH) ligand are reported in [Fe(ppCOOH)3](ClO4)2·0.5H2O·2EtOH. Single crystal structure and magnetic characterization of the bulk compound show that the low-spin state is dominant from 2 to 400 K. ESI-MS and UV–Vis spectroscopy experiments indicate that acetonitrile solutions of this complex are stable with time. ESI-MS confirms the presence of the tris complex in solution. This complex can be deposited onto SiO2 surfaces due to the presence of carboxylic acid groups by immersing the substrates into acetonitrile solutions of the complex. XPS spectra of the deposited complex are similar to those of the bulk sample. AFM images show a slight increase in roughness with respect to the naked substrate and the absence of aggregates. These results are consistent with the formation of a monolayer of the complex on the surface.