Anion exchange in co-ordination polymers:: a solid-state or a solvent-mediated process?

Interconversion of chain co-ordination polymers [Ag(4,4'-bipy)](X)}(infinity) (X = NO3- or BF4-) in aqueous media has been studied by JR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron (TEM) and atomic force (AFM) microscopies and by X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD). The exchange leads to the formation of a pure crystalline phase of a new co-ordination polymer, and detailed TEM and AFM studies indicate a solvent-mediated rather than a solid-state mechanism for the exchange process.