Single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation of the dichloromethane solvate of the shiff base manganese(III) complex to a solvent free material

The chloride complex of Mn(III) with an optically active Schiff base derive d from 3,5-tert-butyl-salicyl aldehyde and (1R,3S)-1,2,2,-trimethylcyclopen tane-1,3-diamine crystallizes as a 1 : 1 solvate (I) with CH2Cl2 and transf orms at room temperature to a solvent-free compound (II) without destructio n of the crystals. Two X-ray diffraction experiments carried out on the sam e crystal at 120 K revealed that the guest CH2Cl2 molecules are completely enclosed in the host matrix and that drastic conformational changes of the complex molecules occur during removal of solvent. A possible mechanism of the crystal transformation is disscused. The spectral evidence on associati on of the metal complex with dichloromethane in solution are demonstrated.