Photoswitchable molecular lock. One-way catenation of a Pt(II)-linked coordination ring via the photolabilization of a Pt(II)-pyridine bond

An inert Pt(II)-py bond (py = pyridyl) is considerably labilized upon UV irradiation. On the basis of this phenomenon, a kinetically inert Pt(II)-linked coordination ring is rapidly catenated on irradiation via Pt(II)-py photodissociation.