Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of complexes exhibiting reversible light-induced magnetization, and/or heat, and/or electrically-induced switching with unprecedented lifetimes. In particular embodiments, the complexes are provided as organic thin films that can exhibit long lifetimes at ambient temperatures. In some representative embodiments, the complex comprises an electronically bistable cobalt complex functionalized with an optically bistable ligand. A photoisomerization-induced spin-charge excited state (PISCES) process can occur, resulting in the direct observation of light-induced spin state switching at room temperature in the solid state.