Ferroelectricity and Thermosalience based on Dynamics of Alykylamides and Twisted Molecules

Abstract

Design of structure and electronic properties of organic molecules have been achieved through organic synthesis. On the other hand, connection of such unique structure and assemblies to unique novel function is still difficult, especially in dynamic molecular assembly. Utilization of molecular motion in the assembly could develop new functional organic material. Herein, we introduce our recent work on unique functional organic materials based on molecular motion in the condensed phases. Rotation of one-dimensional amide hydrogen-bonding chain of arenealkylamide derivatives in response to external electric field afforded ferroelectricity. Collective and anisotropic molecular motion of twisted π molecule induced mechanical force in response to external heating (thermosalience). A variety of molecular motions is possible in organic molecules, which has different mode of motions and activation energies. With consideration of such factors, materials with new function could be proposed through the assemblies of molecules with appropriate arrangement and degree of freedom of molecular motion. Coupling molecular motion with its electronic, photophysical properties in the assemblies could develop new multifunctional organic molecular materials.