A novel metal complex of a heterocyclic aromatic compound which shows a
low activation energy, is stabilized structurally, is capable of
modulation of the structure thereof, and capable of preferably
functioning as a molecular device in technological fields. The metal
complex of a heterocyclic aromatic compound comprises a transition metal
(for example, silver ion) as a central atom, and basic ligands comprised
of a 5-membered heterocyclic aromatic compound (for example, pyrrole
rings), in which the position of the central atom can be changed by an
internal factor such as transfer of an electric charge or by an external
factor such as application of an electric field, a change in acidity of
the surrounding environment, etc., whereby the number of atoms (or the
number of electrons) relating to the coordination ability can be
modulated, and, upon polymerization, the conformation can be modulated
depending on the position of the central atom.