Reversible on-off switching of spin-crossover behavior via photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reaction

Herein,we report the first example showing the reversible on-off switching of spin-crossover(SCO)property by solid state photochemical[2+2]reaction.The ultraviolet(UV)light-induced[2+2]cycloaddition reaction of 3-spy ligands in a twodimensional(2D)Hofmann-type framework[Fe(3-spy)_(2){Pd(CN)_(4)}](1,3-spy=3-styrylpyridine),which shows a hysteretic twostep SCO behavior,gives a 3D Hofmann-type framework[Fe(rctt-3-ppcb){Pd(CN)_(4)}](2,rctt-3-ppcb=rctt-1,3-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,4-bis(phenyl)cyclobutane,r=reference group,c=cis and t=trans)accompanied with the disappearing of SCO properties.Moreover,upon heating at 250℃ for 12 h,the rctt-3-ppcb ligand in 2 could be partially dedimerized to 3-spy with 68%completion through single-crystal-to-single-crystal(SCSC)transformation,giving the annealing complexes[Fe(3-spy)1.36(rctt-3-ppcb)0.32{Pd(CN)_(4)}](3)which display an incomplete SCO behavior.The 2■3 interconversion is successfully achieved via continuous UV irradiation and thermal annealing,demonstrating the effectiveness of photochemical[2+2]reaction on switching on-off SCO properties.