Multiple single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange in a dynamic 1D coordination polymer.

A novel 1D coordination polymer that dynamically expands or shrinks upon the uptake of vapours of volatile small chlorinated molecules, such as 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), dichloromethane (DCM) and trichloromethane (TCM), is reported. This system is robust enough to withstand multiple guest exchange via single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation, as proved by (1)H-NMR and X-ray diffraction. The single crystal of guest-free, host framework, stable at 400 K, can also be obtained.