Anisotropic movements of coordination polymers upon desolvation: Solid-state transformation of a linear 1D coordination polymer to a ladderlike structure

(Chemical Equation Presented) Rungs of a ladder: A solvated linear 1D coordination polymer [Ag(μ-bpe) (H2O)]-(CF3CO 2)·CH3CN (bpe = 4,4′-bipyridyl-ethylene) with no parallel dispositions of the double bonds in the crystal structure undergoes photodimerization when desolvated. This finding is attributed to the lateral movements of adjacent linear strands on desolvation, which form a ladderlike structure (see picture; Ag light blue, C gray, N purple, O red). © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.