Molecular spin switches are attractive candidates for controlling the spin polarization developing at the interface between molecules and magnetic metal surfaces1,2, which is relevant for molecular spintronics devices3-5. However, so far, intrinsic spin switches such as spin-crossover complexes have suffered from fragmentation or loss of functionality following adsorption on metal surfaces, with rare exceptions6-9. Robust metal-organic platforms, on the other hand, rely on external axial ligands to induce spin switching10-14. Here we integrate a spin switching functionality into robust complexes, relying on the mechanical movement of an axial ligand strapped to the porphyrin ring. Reversible interlocked switching of spin and coordination, induced by electron injection, is demonstrated on Ag(111) for this class of compounds. The stability of the two spin and coordination states of the molecules exceeds days at 4 K. The potential applications of this switching concept go beyond the spin functionality, and may turn out to be useful for controlling the catalytic activity of surfaces15.

中文翻译：

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金属表面配合物中可逆配位诱导的自旋态转换。

分子自旋开关是用于控制在分子与磁性金属表面1,2之间的界面上发展的自旋极化的有吸引力的候选物，这与分子自旋电子器件3-5有关。然而，迄今为止，固有的自旋开关（如自旋交联络合物）在金属表面吸附后遭受断裂或功能丧失的情况，只有少数情况例外6-9。另一方面，稳健的金属有机平台依赖于外部轴向配体来诱导自旋转换10-14。在这里，我们将自旋转换功能集成到坚固的复合物中，这取决于束缚在卟啉环上的轴向配体的机械运动。对于这类化合物，在Ag（111）上证明了由电子注入引起的自旋和配位的可逆互锁切换。