Hydrogen-Bonded Homochiral Molecular Crystals with Mechanical Elasticity and Photomechanical Bending
Pengyu Li, Chendong Ji, Minghua Liu, Kläus Müllen, Meizhen Yin
Abstract
Molecular crystals with mechanical elasticity and photomechanical bending based on the homochiral effect are presented. Through homochiral assembly, the V-shaped chiral cyanostilbenes form a hydrogen-bonded stair-like packing and further arrange into tile-window structures. These structures have enough free volume for molecular motions, promoting crystal flexibility and photoresponses. Notably, the hydrogen bonds play a dual function in the homochiral crystal. They enhance the resilience of the crystal to improve elasticity and facilitate force transmission from Z-E isomerization for crystal photobending. Our work broadens the application of the homochiral effect in regulating dynamic crystal properties.