Molecular-Shape-Organized Stimuli-Responsive Functional Crystalline Systems

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive materials attract considerable attention as sources of future innovation but many difficulties remain in establishing their precise control. Consequently, examples that display crystallinity both before and after a response to a stimulus are useful in determining structure-property relationships. In this account, I describe various crystalline materials composed of three kinds of structural motif (triangular, bowl-shaped, and cross-shaped), all of which, on stimulation, show changes in their structures and properties while retaining a high degree of crystallinity.