Crystal Structures and Phase‐Transition Dynamics of Cobaltocenium Salts with Bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide Anions: Remarkable Odd–Even Effect of the Fluorocarbon Chains in the Anion

Crystal structures and thermal properties of cobaltocenium salts with bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide (C_nF_2n+1SO₂)₂N anions [n=0 ( 1 ), 1 ( 1 a ), 2 ( 1 b ), 3 ( 1 c ), and 4 ( 1 d )] and the 1,1,2,2,3,3‐hexafluoropropane‐1,3‐disulfonylamide anion ( 2 ) were investigated. In these solids, the cations are surrounded by four anions around their C₅ axis, and stacking of these local structures forms two kinds of assembled structures. In the salts with even n ( 1 , 1 b , and 1 d ), the cation and anion are arranged alternately to form mixed‐stack columns in the crystal. In contrast, in the salts with odd n ( 1 a and 1 c ), the cations and anions independently form segregated‐stack columns. An odd–even effect was also observed in the sum of the phase‐change entropies from crystal to melt. All of the salts exhibited phase transitions in the solid state. The phase transitions to the lowest‐temperature phase in 1 , 1 a , and 2 are accompanied by order–disorder of the anions and symmetry lowering of the space group, which results in the formation of an ion pair. Solid‐state ¹³C NMR measurements on 1 a and 1 b revealed enhanced molecular motions of the cation in the higher‐temperature phases.     

New Series of Porous Ionic Crystals Constructed from Various Polyoxometalate Anions and Macrocations: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Comparison with Diverse Spatial Arrangement

A new series of ionic crystals, KH₂[Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃][α‐SiMo₁₂O₄₀] · 11 H₂O ( 1 ), KH₂[Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃][α‐SiW₁₂O₄₀]μ·μ11H₂O ( 2 ), K₂[Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆ (H₂O)₃][α‐PW₁₂O₄₀]μ· 17H₂O ( 3 ), Na[Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]₂[α‐PMo₁₂O₄₀] · 11H₂O ( 4 ), H₅[Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃] [α‐P₂Mo₁₈O₆₂] · 10H₂O ( 5 ) based on a polyoxometalate building block with a macrocation, have been synthesized in aqueous solution and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectra, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The polyanions and macrocations stacked alternately through hydrogen bonds as well as electrostatic interactions to constitute a novel porous microstructure. In the crystal structures of 1 , 2 , and 3 , oppositely charged cluster ions stacked alternately to form one‐dimensional channels. Compound 4 exhibits an unique structure that six macrocation pillars packed along the a‐axis to form a straight 1D channel, in which accommodates a polyoxometalate pillar. In compound 5 , six α‐Dawson‐type polyoxometalate pillars stacked on top of each other along the a‐axis to form a straight 1D channel, which houses a macrocation pillar. The magnetic investigation on compounds 1 and 5 shows a typical antiferromagnetic interaction of the macrocation [Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺, almost independent from the presence of polyoxometalate anions.     

Photocontrolled Phase Transitions and Reflection Behaviors of Smectic Liquid Crystals by a Chiral Azobenzene

The photocontrolled phase transitions and reflection behaviors of a smectic liquid crystal, 4‐octyl‐4′‐cyanobiphenyl (8CB), tuned by a chiral azobenzene, are systematically investigated. For the smectic 8CB doped with the chiral azobenzene (1R)‐(?)‐4‐n‐hexyl‐4′‐menthylazobenzene (ABE), the initial smectic phase can be switched to cholesteric and then to isotropic upon UV irradiation due to the trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization of ABE; however, no reflection band is observed. For the smectic 8CB doped with ABE and the chiral agent (S)‐(?)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diol (BN), a reflection band located in the short‐wavelength infrared region is observed, which disappears after further UV irradiation. For the smectic 8CB doped with ABE and a chiral agent with higher helical twisting power, (S)‐2,2′‐methylendioxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene (DBN), a phototunable system with cholesteric pitch short enough to reflect visible light is demonstrated. With a given concentration of the chiral dopant DBN, a reversible reflection color transition is realized tuned by the isomerization of azobenzene. The reverse phase transition from isotropic to cholesteric and then to smectic can be recovered upon visible irradiation. The photocontrolled phase transitions in smectic liquid crystals and the corresponding changes in reflection band switched by photoisomerization of azobenzene may provide impetus for their practical application in optical memories, displays, and switches.     

Lithium Argyrodites with Phosphorus and Arsenic: Order and Disorder of Lithium Atoms,Crystal Chemistry,and Phase Transitions

Crystal chemical data of high‐ (HT) and low‐temperature (LT) modifications of lithium argyrodites with the compositions Li₇PCh₆ (Ch=S, Se), Li₆PCh₅X (X=Cl, Br, I), Li₆AsS₅Br, and Li₆AsCh₅I (Ch=S, Se) based on single‐crystal, powder X‐ray (113 K<T<503 K) and neutron measurements (5 K<T<293 K) are presented. In the HT modifications, the Li atoms are strongly disordered over a fraction of the available tetrahedral holes, whereas in the LT modifications they occupy ordered crystallographic positions with a pronounced site preference that is analysed on a crystal chemical basis. The Ch/X partial structures remain nearly unchanged upon the reversible phase transitions. Crystal chemical and crystallographic relations between HT and LT modifications based on the Frank–Kasper model of tetrahedral close packing are discussed. X‐ray single‐crystal data for HT‐Li₆PS₅I show the electron density of the disordered Li to be smeared out over an extended region preferably inside face‐sharing double tetrahedra. A series of temperature‐dependent powder neutron data for Li₆PS₅I gives clear evidence for an HT/LT phase transition at ≈175 K with an ordering of the Li atoms in different polyhedra with coordination numbers between three and four.     

First Examples of de Vries‐like Smectic A to Smectic C Phase Transitions in Ionic Liquid Crystals

In ionic liquid crystals, the orthogonal smectic A phase is the most common phase whereas the tilted smectic C phase is rather rare. We present a new study with five novel ionic liquid crystals exhibiting both a smectic A as well as the rare smectic C phase. Two of them have a phenylpyrimidine core whereas the other three are imidazolium azobenzenes. Their phase sequences and tilt angles were studied by polarizing microscopy and their temperature‐dependent layer spacing as well as their translational and orientational order parameters were studied by X‐ray diffraction. The X‐ray tilt angles derived from X‐ray studies of the layer contraction and the optically measured tilt angles of the five ionic liquid crystals were compared to obtain their de Vries character. Four of our five mesogens turned out to show de Vries‐like behavior with a layer shrinkage that is far less than that expected for conventional materials. These materials can thus be considered as the first de Vries‐type materials among ionic liquid crystals.     

Crystalline/Crystalline Phase Transitions in Polymer Systems Consisting of Finite‐Size Crystals in Each Crystalline Phase: Generalized Gibbs‐Thomson Equation

For polymer systems of two crystalline phases of one polymer component, each phase being consisted of polymer crystals of a finite size, we derive the crystalline‐crystalline phase transition relationship, i.e., generalized Gibbs‐Thomson equation. Its application combined with the crystalline‐liquid transition relationship (usual Gibbs‐Thomson equation) to the phase behavior of PT phase diagram of polyethylene (PE) is investigated, where the orthorhombic‐hexagonal phase transition of PE crystal under high pressure being involved. Comparison with experimental data leads to the estimates of the structural characteristics such as the ratios of (the end surface free energy of polymer crystal/crystal length) for the respective crystalline phases.

     

Metal-like Ductility in Organic Plastic Crystals: Role of Molecular Shape and Dihydrogen Bonding Interactions in Aminoboranes

Ductility is a common phenomenon in many metals but is difficult to achieve in molecular crystals. Organic crystals bend plastically on one or two face-specific directions but fracture when stressed in any other arbitrary directions. An exceptional metal-like ductility and malleability in the isomorphous crystals of two globular molecules, BH₃NMe₃ and BF₃NMe₃, is reported, with characteristic tensile stretching, compression, twisting, and thinning. The mechanically deformed samples, which transition to lower symmetry phases, retain good long-range order amenable to structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Molecules in these high-symmetry crystals interact through electrostatic forces (B⁻−N⁺) to form columnar structures with multiple slip planes and weak dispersive forces between columns. On the other hand, the limited number of facile slip planes and strong dihydrogen bonding in BH₃NHMe₂ negates ductility. Our study has implications for the design of soft ferroelectrics, solid electrolytes, barocalorics, and soft robotics.     

In Situ Observation of Ferroelastic Domain and Phase Transition in a Three-Dimensional Molecular Crystal

Massive efforts have been devoted to designing molecular ferroic materials by molecular modification. For molecular ferroelastic, previous work is focused on the temperature-dependent ferroelastic domains, however, few are related to controlling the ferroelastic domain by the stress. Inspired by the “quasi-spherical theory” and fluorination effect, we designed a more flexible (MedabcoF)²⁺ (MedabcoF=1-fluoro-4-methyl-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) cation by introducing a methyl group and a fluorine atom at the two symmetrical ends of the Dabco (1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) and synthesized a hybrid 3D perovskite (MedabcoF)Rb(BF₄)₃ ( 1 ) which displays three reversible phase transitions accompanying dual ferroelastic behavior. Besides, it not only exhibits ferroelastic domains switching by the thermal stimulation, and the sensitive reaction of in situ domains under the stress of it is also realized. This work not only achieves a force-controlled ferroelastic domain but develops a more profound comprehension of the relationship between the thermal motion behavior of guest cations and the intriguing properties of materials.     

纳米粒子相变的分子动力学研究：Cu453的性质、结构与结晶成核

Molecular dynamics （MD） computer simulations have been carried out to study the structures, properties and crystal nucleation of nanoparticles with 453 Cu atoms. Structure information was analyzed from the MD simulations, while properties of nanoparticles of Cu453, such as melting point, freezing temperature, heat capacity and mo- lar volumes, have been estimated. The face center cubic （FCC） phase and icosahedron （Ih） phase were observed during the quenching process, and nucleation rates of crystallization to FCC crystal of Cu453 at temperatures of 650, 700, 750, and 800 K were analyzed. Both classical nucleation theory （CNT） and diffuse interface theory （DIT） were used to interpret our observed nucleation rates. The free energy and diffuse interface thickness between the liquid and the FCC crystal phases were estimated by the CNT and DIT respectively, and the results show that the DIT does not work properly to the system.     

Metal‐like Ductility in Organic Plastic Crystals: Role of Molecular Shape and Dihydrogen Bonding Interactions in Aminoboranes

Ductility is a common phenomenon in many metals but is difficult to achieve in molecular crystals. Organic crystals bend plastically on one or two face‐specific directions but fracture when stressed in any other arbitrary directions. An exceptional metal‐like ductility and malleability in the isomorphous crystals of two globular molecules, BH₃NMe₃ and BF₃NMe₃, is reported, with characteristic tensile stretching, compression, twisting, and thinning. The mechanically deformed samples, which transition to lower symmetry phases, retain good long‐range order amenable to structure determination by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Molecules in these high‐symmetry crystals interact through electrostatic forces (B^??N⁺) to form columnar structures with multiple slip planes and weak dispersive forces between columns. On the other hand, the limited number of facile slip planes and strong dihydrogen bonding in BH₃NHMe₂ negates ductility. Our study has implications for the design of soft ferroelectrics, solid electrolytes, barocalorics, and soft robotics.     

Molecular Dynamics,Phase Transition and Frequency‐Tuned Dielectric Switch of an Ionic Co‐Crystal

Dielectric switches that can be converted between high and low dielectric states by thermal stimuli have attracted much interest owing to their many potential applications. Currently one main drawback for practical application lies in the non‐tunability of their switch temperatures (T_S). We report here an ionic co‐crystal (Me₃NH)₄[Ni(NCS)₆] that contains a multiply rotatable Me₃NH⁺ ion and a solely rotatable one due to a more spacious supramolecular cage for the former one. This compound undergoes an isostructural order–disorder phase transition and it can function as a frequency‐tuned dielectric switch with highly adjustable T_S, which is further revealed by the variable‐temperature structure analyses and molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, the distinct arrangements and molecular dynamics of two coexisting Me₃NH⁺ ions confined in different lattice spaces as well as the notable offset effect on the promoting/hindering of dipolar reorientation after dielectric transition provide a rarely observed but fairly good model for understanding and modulating the dipole motion in crystalline environment.     

Molecular Recognition and Crystal Energy Landscapes: An X‐ray and Computational Study of Caffeine and Other Methylxanthines

We introduce a new approach to crystal‐packing analysis, based on the study of mutual recognition modes of entire molecules or of molecular moieties, rather than a search for selected atom–atom contacts, and on the study of crystal energy landscapes over many computer‐generated polymorphs, rather than a quest for the one most stable crystal structure. The computational tools for this task are a polymorph generator and the PIXEL density sums method for the calculation of intermolecular energies. From this perspective, the molecular recognition, crystal packing, and solid‐state phase behavior of caffeine and several methylxanthines (purine‐2,6‐diones) have been analyzed. Many possible crystal structures for anhydrous caffeine have been generated by computer simulation, and the most stable among them is a thermodynamic, ordered equivalent of the disordered phase, revealed by powder X‐ray crystallography. Molecular recognition energies between two caffeine molecules or between caffeine and water have been calculated, and the results reveal the largely predominant mode to be the stacking of parallel caffeine molecules, an intermediately favorable caffeine–water interaction, and many other equivalent energy minima for lateral interactions of much less stabilization power. This last indetermination helps to explain why caffeine does not crystallize easily into an ordered anhydrous structure. In contrast, the mono‐ and dimethylxanthines (theophylline, theobromine, and the 1,7‐isomer, for which we present a single‐crystal X‐ray study and a lattice energy landscape) do crystallize in anhydrous form thanks to the formation of lateral hydrogen bonds.     

5-{[(4′-正戊基氧-4-联苯基基)羰基]氧}-1-戊炔的相转变与相结构

采用差示扫描量热(DSC)、一维(1D)广角X射线衍射(WAXD)、热台偏光显微镜(PLM-hotstage)等研究手段对含联苯液晶基元的侧链液晶聚炔单体5-{[(4′-正戊基氧-4-联苯基基)羰基]氧}-1-戊炔(A3EO5)的本体相转变和相结构进行了研究.DSC和1D-WAXD实验结果表明,A3EO5在升温和降温过程中均呈现四个相转变过程,形成双向性液晶.样品从各向同性态降温至室温过程中,首先形成近晶A相,随后进入层内排列具有准长程有序的近晶B相,继续降温将形成层内为正交排列的近晶E相,在此之后样品进入晶相.PLM结果指出样品在各向同性态降温过程中分别形成球状织构、角锥织构和同心圆弧织构.     

基于席夫碱配合物的分子磁体：合成、结构和磁学性质

基于席夫碱配合物的分子磁体：合成、结构和磁学性质;席夫碱;配位聚合物;晶体结构;磁学性质     

基于“甲壳”效应、不同尾链长度的离子液晶高分子的相行为和相结构

考察了一系列基于"甲壳"效应的离子液晶高分子poly(2,5-bis{[6-(4-butoxy-4?-imidazolium phenyl)k-alkyl]oxy carbonyl}styrene bis(fluoroborate)salts)Pk-6-BF4(k=4,8,12,16)的相行为和相结构.热重分析结果表明,该系列聚合物的热分解温度都在320?C以上,说明其均具有优异的热稳定性能.示差扫描量热仪结果表明,P4-6-BF4和P8-6-BF4仅表现出一个玻璃化转变,随着尾链的增长,P12-6-BF4和P16-6-BF4具有一个结晶熔融峰.偏光显微镜、一维广角X衍射、二维广角X衍射结果表明,该系列聚合物均形成稳定的近晶A相结构,并且随着烷烃尾链的增长,层间距增加、近晶结构内部分子堆积形式有所改变.