Crystal field theory

Molecular spin processors are promising for quantum computing, but for universal applicability the available computational space needs to be expanded beyond three qubits while retaining the ability to perform universal quantum operations. Here, the authors report dissymetric molecular Gadolinium(III) dimers acting as 6-qubit quantum processors.

Porous coordination frameworks that undergo reversible structural transformations are promising for sensing, switching and separations. Here, the authors report an electroactive framework that exhibits a reversible single crystal-to-single crystal double [2+2] photocyclisation, leading to property changes.

The four-coordinate iron sites of typical iron–sulfur clusters rarely react with small molecules, implicating three-coordinate iron in many catalytic cycles. Now, a [4Fe-3S] cluster featuring three-coordinate iron sulfide that resembles the proposed substrate binding site has been synthesized. This cluster shows biomimetic reactivity with a low-spin electronic configuration.

Future spintronic devices may exploit spin-orbit interactions, which often emerge from broken symmetries and strongly influence electronic behaviour. Here, the authors evidence the amplification of Rashba coupling by a crystal field that breaks the local inversion symmetry at the Ni site in BaNiS₂.