A new inorganic molecule [ Co(Hbim) ( C 6 H 4 O 2)( NH 3)2]2 that can be used as a new optically durable molecular switch was theoretically designed in the framework of density functional theory. Three stable minima, belonging to 1 A g , 5 A 1, and 9 A g states, were found in the complex. Theoretically predicted infrared spectra of the complexes showed that a strong peak of NH stretching vibration is observed at 2690, 2120, and 2770 cm -1 in the 1 A g , 5 A 1, and 9 A g states, respectively. The apparent red shift of the NH stretching vibration band in the 5 A 1 state make it possible to distinguish the electronic state from others (1 A g and 9 A g ). This means that the complex can be used as a molecular level switch whose memory can be stably read by IR light without any photoreaction process; namely, without memory degradation.
A flexible, redox-active macrocycle enables the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia by a cobalt complex
