Solid state unidirectional photoisomerization of (β-substituted ethyl)bis(dibubstituted glyoximato)(L)cobalt(III) to the α-substituted ethyl complexes (L = pyridine or primary amine)

Photoisomerization of β-cyanoethyl-and β(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl-bis(disubstituted glyoximato)(L)cobalt(III)(L = pyridine or primary amines) to the α-substituted ethyl complexes occurred in the solid state, but the reverse (α→β) isomerization was not observed, despite the fact that Co–C bond cleavage occurred.