Snapshots of a solid-state transformation: Coexistence of three phases trapped in one crystal

Crystal-to-crystal transformations have been crucial in the understanding of solid-state processes, since these may be studied in detail by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) techniques. The description of the mechanisms and potential intermediates of those processes remains very challenging. In fact, solid-state transient states have rarely been observed, at least to a sufficient level of detail. We have investigated the process of guest extrusion from the non-porous molecular material [Fe(bpp)(HL)](ClO)·1.5CHO (bpp = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine; HL = 2,6-bis(5-(2-methoxyphenyl)-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine; CHO = acetone), which occurs through ordered diffusion of acetone in a c…