Cover Feature: Intramolecular Redox-Driven Synthesis of Mono- and Diradical Iridium(III) Complexes: Insights into Molecular and Electronic Structure, Electrochemistry, and Spin-Communication (Chem. Eur. J. 15/2025)

Abstract

The synthesis of a stable diradical compound with two ligand radicals that are very weakly antiferromagnetically coupled was mediated by a closed-shell metal centre. The minimal interaction between the two electrons allows them to retain their independence—a rare and intriguing characteristic under ambient conditions. The metaphor of two rivers with distinct, immiscible characteristics meeting and flowing side by side without merging beautifully illustrates the idea that not all similar entities spontaneously amalgamate, as observed in the ligand radicals which defy typical spin-quenching behaviour despite being in close proximity and remain distinct under normal conditions. More information can be found in the Research Article by K. Pramanik and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202404027).