Light-driven structural transformations in isotypical Cd(ii) complexes: stereoselectivity and photosalient motion

Abstract

This work describes the photoreactivity and photosalient (PS) behavior of five new isotypical Cd(II) coordination complexes [Cd(bz)₂(4-nvp)₂] (1), [Cd(4-clbz)₂(4-nvp)₂] (2) and (3), and [Cd(4-brbz)₂(4-nvp)₂] (4) and (5) [Hbz = benzoic acid, H4-clbz = 4-chlorobenzoic acid, and H4-brbz = 4-bromobenzoic acid]. Complexes 2 and 3 are 4-clbz based polymorphs, while 4 and 5 are 4-brbz based polymorphs. Interestingly, complexes 1, 2 and 4 form head-to-head (HH) dimers, while 3 and 5 form head-to-tail (HT) dimers through photodimerization.