The spin transition of Fe2+ ions in the mononuclear compound cis-bis(thiocyanato)-bis(N-2'-pyridylmethylene)-4-(aminobiphenyl)-iron(II) is studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Mn2+. In cooling the compound down to the temperature range 174-168 K, the Fe2+ ions undergo a complete transition from the high spin (HS, S = 2) to the low spin (LS, S = 0) state, occurring with a narrow, ~5 K and unusually sharp hysteresis loop. The temperature dependence of the unit cell parameters is almost linear on both sides of the spin transition; the variation of the unit cell parameters at the spin transition is very anisotropic. The EPR spectra, typical of the Mn2+ ion, only gradually change with temperature in the two spin states of Fe2+ but undergo a striking transformation in the spin transition range. This shows that a considerable cooperativity exists between the metal ions. Computer simulations using a laboratory-developed simulation program indicate significant changes in the zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters in the course of the spin transition. Lower-than-axial symmetry of the environment of Mn2+ persists in both spin states of Fe2+; however, a stronger axial distortion arises in the HS state.< Leer menos