Water vapour induced reversible switching between a 1-D coordination polymer and a 0-D aqua complex

[Zn(3-tba)(2)], 1, a 1-D coordination polymer synthesised as 1 DMA, 1 alpha, transformed to a nonporous form, 1 beta, upon activation. 1 beta underwent further transformation to the dimeric complex [Zn(3-tba)(2)(H2O)(2)]( )2, above 40% RH. The reverse transformations, 2 to 1 beta and 1 beta to 1 alpha, were accomplished by heating and exposure to DMA, respectively, and were single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase changes. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the second transformation resulted from Zn-carboxylate bond breakage and concomitant coordination of water molecules. Other solvent molecules did not induce a phase change.

Automated summary

This article discusses the structural transformation process of a 1-D coordination polymer [Zn(3-tba)(2)], showing the formation of a nonporous form and a dimeric complex under specific conditions. Single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase changes can be achieved through heating and exposure to DMA under specific conditions.