A Multistimulus Responsive Porous Coordination Polymer: Temperature-Mediated Control of Solid-State [2+2] Cycloaddition.

Either of two different isomeric products can be selectively obtained by photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of 1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]-benzene within a porous coordination polymer (PCP). The cycloaddition product obtained depends on the temperature at which irradiation occurs. A rare temperature-induced phase transition alters the conformation of the photoactive ligand in the PCP, and thereby the positions at which cycloaddition occurs. We show that the multistimulus responsive nature of this particular PCP is due to the flexibility of the ligands employed.

Solvent-Mediated Synthesis of Cyclobutane Isomers in a Photoactive Cadmium(II) Porous Coordination Polymer.

Photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of 1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene, carried out in a CdII porous coordination polymer (PCP), produces different isomeric products depending on the guest solvent present in the PCP during irradiation. The nature of the included guest influences the conformation of the ligand, and thus the outcome of the cycloaddition reaction. We demonstrate controlled production of the two isomers from the same PCP by simple exchange of solvent.