A combination of metal-organic self-assembly and reversible imine formation is used to achieve an organic synthesis via the solid state. Imine bond formation is employed to install a pyridyl to the alkene trans-cinnamaldehyde while Ag(I) ions are used in a second step to assemble the pyridyl-functionalized alkene into a geometry in the solid state for an intermolecular [2 + 2] photodimerization. The alkene undergoes the cycloaddition reaction via a 1D coordination polymer to generate a pyridyl-functionalized cyclobutane stereoselectively and in quantitative yield. Removal of the pyridyl group affords the aldehyde-functionalized cyclobutane α-truxilaldehyde.