Solvent mediated reversible solid state photochromism of {MoFe} Keplerate.

When the yellow rhombohedral crystals of Keplerate [Mo72Fe30O252(CH3COO)12{Mo2O7(H2O)}2{H2Mo2O8(H2O)}(H2O)91]·150H2O (1), on wetting with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), are irradiated with sunlight, a remarkable reversible solid state photochromic behaviour is achieved with the formation of green coloured crystals (1red). The reduction of the {MoVI} centres to {MoV} is responsible for the observed colour change from yellow to dark green. Importantly, compound 1 can be activated towards photochromism only in the presence of the DMF solvent. The photochromic phenomenon displayed by Keplerate compound 1 is a classic example of sunlight activated solvent driven photoactivity.