The role of hydrogen bond and crystal solvent in the sold-state (β-α) photoisomerization of novel 2-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)ethyl cobaloxime complexes

The 2-(phenqlcarbamoyl)ethyl group bonded to the cobalt atom in cobaloxime complexes was isomerized on exposure to visible light in the solid-state. The three complexes with different amines as axial base ligands were prepared and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray analysis. The reaction rates in the solid-state were mainly affected by the hydrogen bonds of the reactive group with the neighboring molecules and the occupation of crystal solvent molecules around the reactive group.