Organic‐inorganic Hybrid ([BrCH2CH2N(CH3)3]+2[CdBr4]2−) with Unusual Ferroelectric and Switchable Dielectric Bifunctional Properties over Different Temperature Range

Both ferroelectric and switchable dielectric behaviors are of great academic value and practical significance, but they usually exist alone. If combine the two properties into one compound, it will be more valuable in practical application. In this paper, quasi‐spherical (2‐bromoethyl) trimethylammonium cation was used to match with [CdBr₄]^2? anion, and a new organic‐inorganic hybrid compound ([BrCH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₃]⁺₂[CdBr₄]^2?, BETABCdBr ) was obtained and carefully characterized. The results indicate that this compound undergoes two continuous reversible phase transition around 342 K and 390 K. It could respectively exhibit ferroelectric and switchable dielectric properties over different temperature range. This work may provide a new clue to explore new types of bifunctional phase transition smart materials to meet various application requirements.     

Switchable Dielectric Phase Transition Triggered by Pendulum‐Like Motion in an Ionic Co‐crystal

Molecular‐based ionic co‐crystals, which have the merits of low‐cost/easy fabrication processes and flexible structure and functionality, have already exhibited tremendous potential in molecular memory switches and other electric devices. However, dipole (ON/OFF switching) triggering is a huge challenge. Here, we introduce a pendulum‐like dynamic strategy to induce the order–disorder transition of a co‐crystal [C₅H₇N₃Cl]₃[Sb₂Br₉] (compound 1 ). Here, the anion and cation act as a stator and a pendulum‐like rotor (the source of the dielectric switch), respectively. The temperature‐dependent dielectric and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses reveal that 1 undergoes a reversible phase transition, which stems from the order–disorder transition of the cations. The thermal ON/OFF switchable motions make 1 a promising candidate to promote the development of bulk crystals as artificial intelligent dielectric materials. In addition, the pendulum‐like molecular dynamics and distinct arrangements of two coexisting ions with a notable offset effect promotes/hinders dipolar reorientation after dielectric transition and provides a rarely observed but fairly useful and feasible strategy for understanding and modulating the dipole motion in crystalline electrically polarizable materials.     

Switchable Guest Molecular Dynamics in a Perovskite‐Like Coordination Polymer toward Sensitive Thermoresponsive Dielectric Materials

A new perovskite‐like coordination polymer [(CH₃)₂NH₂][Cd(N₃)₃] is reported which undergoes a reversible ferroelastic phase transition. This transition is due to varied modes of motion of the [(CH₃)₂NH₂]⁺ guest accompanied by a synergistic deformation of the [Cd(N₃)₃]^? framework. The unusual two‐staged switchable dielectric relaxation reveals the molecular dynamics of the polar cation guest, which are well controlled by the variable confined space of the host framework. As the material switches from the ferroelastic phase to the paraelastic phase, a remarkable increase of the rotational energy barrier is detected. As a result, upon heating at low temperature, this compound shows a notable change from a low to a high dielectric state in the ferroelastic phase. This thermoresponsive host–guest system may serve as a model compound for the development of sensitive thermoresponsive dielectric materials and may be key to understanding and modulating molecular/ionic dynamics of guest molecules in confined space.     

Phase Transition Originating from Order–Disorder Transformations of Carboxy Oxygen Atoms Coupled with Dynamic Proton Motions in [PhCH2NH(CH3)2]2C2O4⋅H2C2O4

A new molecular phase transition material, [PhCH₂NH(CH₃)₂]₂C₂O₄?H₂C₂O₄, which undergoes a reversible phase transition at 151.6 K, has been successfully synthesized. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), specific heat capacity, and dielectric measurements confirm its reversible phase transition with a large thermal hysteresis of 15.1 K, demonstrating that the phase transition is typical first order. Variable‐temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that the order–disorder transformations of carboxy oxygen atoms induce the structural phase transition. A slight reorientation of the oxalic acid unit is discovered to accompany the ordering of carboxy oxygen atoms at low temperature. The DSC measurement result of the deuterated analog is different to that of 1 , indicating that proton dynamic motions in hydrogen bonds also contribute to the phase transition.     

[(18‐Crown‐6)K][Fe(1)Cl(1)4]0.5[Fe(2)Cl(2)4]0.5: A Multifunctional Molecular Switch of Dielectric,Conductivity and Magnetic Properties

Multifunctional materials that exhibit different physical properties in a single phase have potential for use in multifunctional devices. Herein, we reported an organic–inorganic hybrid compound [(18‐crown‐6)K][Fe(1)Cl(1)₄]_0.5[Fe(2)Cl(2)₄]_0.5 ( 1 ) by incorporating KCl and FeCl₃ into a 18‐crown‐6 molecule, which acts as a host of the six O atoms providing a lone pair of electrons to anchor the guest potassium cation, and [FeCl₄]^? as a counterion for charge balance to construct a complex salt. This salt exhibited a one‐step reversible structural transformation giving two separate high and low temperature phases at 373 K, which was confirmed by systematic characterizations including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, variable‐temperature structural analyses, and dielectric, impedance, variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Interestingly, the structural transformation was coupled to both hysteretic dielectric phase transition, conductivity switch and magnetic‐phase transition at 373 K. This result gives an idea for designing a new type of phase‐transition materials harboring technologically important magnetic, conductivity and dielectric properties.     

Reversible phase transition of 2‐carboxypyridinium perchlorate–pyridinium‐2‐carboxylate (1/1)

The title salt, C₆H₆NO₂⁺·ClO₄⁻·C₆H₅NO₂, was crystallized from an aqueous solution of equimolar quantities of perchloric acid and pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show that the compound undergoes a reversible phase transition at about 261.7 K, with a wide heat hysteresis of 21.9 K. The lower‐temperature polymorph (denoted LT; T = 223 K) crystallizes in the space group C2/c, while the higher‐temperature polymorph (denoted RT; T = 296 K) crystallizes in the space group P2/c. The relationship between these two phases can be described as: 2a_RT = a_LT; 2b_RT = b_LT; c_RT = c_LT. The crystal structure contains an infinite zigzag hydrogen‐bonded chain network of 2‐carboxypyridinium cations. The most distinct difference between the higher (RT) and lower (LT) temperature phases is the change in dihedral angle between the planes of the carboxylic acid group and the pyridinium ring, which leads to the formation of different ten‐membered hydrogen‐bonded rings. In the RT phase, both the perchlorate anions and the hydrogen‐bonded H atom within the carboxylic acid group are disordered. The disordered H atom is located on a twofold rotation axis. In the LT phase, the asymmetric unit is composed of two 2‐carboxypyridinium cations, half an ordered perchlorate anion with ideal tetrahedral geometry and a disordered perchlorate anion. The phase transition is attributable to the order–disorder transition of half of the perchlorate anions.     

High‐temperature phase of trans‐tetra­aqua­bis­(tri­fluoro­acetato‐O)­manganese(II)

The title compound, [Mn(CF₃COO)₂(H₂O)₄], crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. At about 215 K, it undergoes a reversible phase transition, which leads to crystal twinning. The crystal structure of the high‐temperature phase was determined at 220 K. The Mn²⁺ ion lies on a twofold axis and is octahedrally coordinated by two monodentate tri­fluoro­acetate ligands in apical positions and by four equatorial aqua ligands, two of which lie on the twofold axis. Hydro­gen‐bonding interactions connect the complex mol­ecules, generating a three–dimensional network.     

Triethylammonium picrate: An above-room-temperature phase transition material to switch quadratic nonlinear optical properties

Quadratic nonlinear optical properties of the picrate-based molecular crystal have been switched using the order-disorder phase transition, which opens up a potential way to design stimuli-responsive materials.     

镉基杂化晶体的介电相变和蓝白光致发光双重特性

通过采用容易无序的胺,我们合成了2种有机无机杂化晶体,分别为基于bempy （bempy=1-甲基-1-溴乙基吡咯烷阳离子）的溴盐化合物（bempy） Br （1）和镉基溴化物（bempy）₂CdBr₄（2）,并对其结构相变、介电相变和蓝白荧光进行了详细的表征分析。化合物1在测试温度范围内未观察到可逆相变,化合物2为高温介电相变,介电和差示扫描量热法测试表征其相变温度为357 K。同时,化合物1和2均具备蓝白光致发光特性,荧光测试表明,化合物1和2分别在538 nm和547、750 nm处存在发射峰。化合物2具备介电相变和蓝白光致发光的双重特性。     

Pseudosymmetry and phase transition in dimethyl 2,3‐bis(tricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]dec‐2‐ylidene)butanedioate

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₂₆H₃₄O₄, shows a reversible phase transition at about 178 K. The structure of the high‐temperature phase contains two independent mol­ecules related by pseudosymmetry elements. Cooling through the phase‐transition temperature results in a doubling of the c axis. The low‐temperature structure contains four independent mol­ecules related by pseudosymmetry elements. The phase transition results in a rearrangement of some weak intermolecular C—H?O interactions. The number of very weak C—H?O interactions, with H?O distances between 2.8 and 2.9 Å, is increased in the low‐temperature structure.     

[C6H14N]PbBr3: An ABX3‐Type Semiconducting Perovskite Hybrid with Above‐Room‐Temperature Phase Transition

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, with the formula ABX₃ (A=organic cation, B=metal cation, and X=halide; for example, CH₃NH₃PbI₃), have diverse and intriguing physical properties, such as semiconduction, phase transitions, and optical properties. Herein, a new ABX₃‐type semiconducting perovskite‐like hybrid, (hexamethyleneimine)PbBr₃ ( 1 ), consisting of one‐dimensional inorganic frameworks and cyclic organic cations, is reported. Notably, the inorganic moiety of 1 adopts a perovskite‐like architecture and forms infinite columns composed of face‐sharing PbBr₆ octahedra. Strikingly, the organic cation exhibits a highly flexible molecular configuration, which triggers an above‐room‐temperature phase transition, at T_c=338.8 K; this is confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), specific heat capacity (C_p), and dielectric measurements. Further structural analysis reveals that the phase transition originates from the molecular configurational distortion of the organic cations coupled with small‐angle reorientation of the PbBr₆ octahedra inside the inorganic components. Moreover, temperature‐dependent conductivity and UV/Vis absorption measurements reveal that 1 also displays semiconducting behavior below T_c. It is believed that this work will pave a potential way to design multifeatured perovskite hybrids by utilizing cyclic organic amines.     

Temperature-triggered phase transition in pyridazine hexafluorophosphate

The pyndazine hexafluorophosphate[C₄H₅N₂]⁺[PF₆]^-（1） undergoes a reversible phase transition around140 K,which was confirmed by the DSC measurement.Variable-temperature crystal structures determined at 293 K and 93 K show that the compound crystallizes in the same space group P2₁/c,indicating that 1 undergoes an iso-structural phase transition.As the temperature decreases,dielectric measurement of the title compound shows no significant change around the phase transition temperature.Classic hydrogen bonds are found between molecules at 293 K and 93 l< with similar packing arrangement.The most distinct difference between the low temperature and room temperature structures is the order-disorder transition of the hexafluorophosphate anion,which is probably the driving force of the phase transition.     

High‐ and low‐temperature La2RuO5 by powder neutron diffraction

The structure of dilanthanum ruthenium pentoxide was solved by powder neutron diffraction at room temperature and 1.5 K. High‐temperature La₂RuO₅ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. Upon cooling, the sample undergoes a phase transition to the triclinic low‐temperature form (space group P). This transition leads to pronounced changes in the Ru—O—Ru bond distances, resulting in a dimerization of the ruthenium ions.     

High-Temperature and Large-Polarization Ferroelectric with Second Harmonic Generation Response in a Novel Crown Ether Clathrate

Molecular ferroelectrics of high-temperature reversible phase transitions are very rare and have attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this paper is described the successful synthesis of a novel high-temperature host-guest inclusion ferroelectric: [(C₆H₅NF₃)(18-crown-6)][BF₄] ( 1 ) that shows a pair of reversible peaks at 348 K (heating) and 331 K (cooling) with a heat hysteresis about 17 K by differential scanning calorimetry measurements, thus indicating that 1 undergoes a reversible structural phase transition. Variable-temperature PXRD and temperature-dependent dielectric measurements further prove the phase-transition behavior of 1 . The second harmonic response demonstrates that 1 belongs to a non-centrosymmetric space group at room temperature and is a good nonlinear optical material. In its semiconducting properties, 1 shows a wide optical band gap of about 4.43 eV that comes chiefly from the C, H and O atoms of the crystals. In particular, the ferroelectric measurements of 1 exhibit a typical polarization-electric hysteresis loop with a large spontaneous polarization (P_s) of about 4.06 μC/cm². This finding offers an alternative pathway for designing new ferroelectric-dielectric and nonlinear optical materials and related physical properties in organic-inorganic and other hybrid crystals.     

Two reversible enantiotropic phase transitions in a pentacoordinate silicon complex with an O,N,O′‐tridentate valinate ligand

Dimethyl[N‐(4‐oxidopent‐3‐en‐2‐ylidene)valinato‐κ³O,N,O′]silicon(IV), C₁₂H₂₁NO₃Si, (II), crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. The chiral compound undergoes two sharp enantiotropic phase transitions upon cooling. The first transformation occurs at 163 K to yield a unit cell with one axis having double length. This intermediate‐temperature form has the monoclinic space group P2₁. The second transition takes place at 142 K and converts the single crystal into the low‐temperature form in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. This transition proceeds under tripling of the a axis of the high‐temperature form. Both phase transitions are fully reversible and correspond to order–disorder transitions of the isopropyl group of the valine unit in the ligand backbone. The phase transitions presented here raise questions, since they do not fit into the rules of group–subgroup relationships.     

咪唑-氰基合铁(Ⅲ)氢键型超分子晶体的合成、相变及介电性质

通过溶剂蒸发法,咪唑、18-冠醚-6和铁氰酸在甲醇溶液内反应,获得了氰基合铁配合物氢键型笼状超分子晶体材料(C3H5N2)3[Fe(CN)6]·2(18-crown-6)·2H2O(1)。通过变温X射线单晶衍射、红外光谱、元素分析、热重分析(TG)、差示扫描量热法(DSC)和变温-介电常数测试等对该晶体进行了结构、热能及电性能分析。该晶体的空间群为P21/c,属于单斜晶系,结构显示氰基合铁阳离子、水分子和咪唑阳离子在空间内通过氢键的相互作用形成以铁原子为顶点的三维笼状结构。温度变化触发笼状结构突变,同时引起[Fe(CN)6]3-框架内超分子发生动态摆动,从而引起晶体结构发生相变,该结构相变温度区间伴随介电物理特性阶梯状变化,从220到280 K,介电常数由38变为43,且可逆。温度在270 K之后的介电突然跃升是水汽影响导致。     

A High‐Temperature Order–Disorder Phase Transition Coupled With Conformational Change in the Hybrid Material [C6H13NH]2⋅ZnBr4

A new high‐temperature, hybrid, phase‐transition material, 1‐methylpiperidinium tetrabromozincate ( 1 ), that shows a reversible transition at 345 K was synthesized. Differential scanning calorimetry and specific heat capacity measurements confirmed this reversible transformation with a large heat hysteresis of 25 K, which describes a typical first‐order phase transition in 1 . The dielectric constant exhibited a steplike anomaly and showed high and low dielectric states in the high‐ and room‐temperature phases, respectively, and therefore, this hybrid might be considered as a potential switchable dielectric material. The variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction patterns displayed remarkable shifts between the experimental patterns at the two different phases. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses at various temperatures revealed that the origin of this transformation could be attributed to disordering of the bromine atoms in the anion and the nitrogen atom of the cation. The cation also assumed a conformational change, which was likely induced by the disordered nitrogen atom. The conformational onset of the transformation of the cation from a planar conformer into a relaxed chair also occurred upon decreasing the temperature below transition point; thus, the combined order–disorder and conformational change induced the structural transformation and the change in symmetry.     

A low‐temperature modification of hexa‐tert‐butyldisilane and a new polymorph of 1,1,2,2‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐diphenyldisilane

Crystals of hexa‐tert‐butyldisilane, C₂₄H₅₄Si₂, undergo a reversible phase transition at 179 (2) K. The space group changes from Ibca (high temperature) to Pbca (low temperature), but the lattice constants a, b and c do not change significantly during the phase transition. The crystallographic twofold axis of the molecule in the high‐temperature phase is replaced by a noncrystallographic twofold axis in the low‐temperature phase. The angle between the two axes is 2.36 (4)°. The centre of the molecule undergoes a translation of 0.123 (1) Å during the phase transition, but the conformation angles of the molecule remain unchanged. Between the two tri‐tert‐butylsilyl subunits there are six short repulsive intramolecular C—H...H—C contacts, with H...H distances between 2.02 and 2.04 Å, resulting in a significant lengthening of the Si—Si and Si—C bonds. The Si—Si bond length is 2.6863 (5) Å and the Si—C bond lengths are between 1.9860 (14) and 1.9933 (14) Å. Torsion angles about the Si—Si and Si—C bonds deviate by approximately 15° from the values expected for staggered conformations due to intramolecular steric H...H repulsions. A new polymorph is reported for the crystal structure of 1,1,2,2‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐diphenyldisilane, C₂₈H₄₆Si₂. It has two independent molecules with rather similar conformations. The Si—Si bond lengths are 2.4869 (8) and 2.4944 (8) Å. The C—Si—Si—C torsion angles deviate by between −3.4 (1) and −18.5 (1)° from the values expected for a staggered conformation. These deviations result from steric interactions. Four Si—C(t‐Bu) bonds are almost staggered, while the other four Si—C(t‐Bu) bonds are intermediate between a staggered and an eclipsed conformation. The latter Si—C(t‐Bu) bonds are about 0.019 (2) Å longer than the staggered Si—C(t‐Bu) bonds.     

Thermo- and light-triggered reversible interconversion of dysprosium–anthracene complexes and their responsive optical,magnetic and dielectric properties

Artificial smart materials with switchable multifunctionality are of immense interest owing to their wide application in sensors, displays and memory devices. Lanthanide complexes are promising multifunctional materials integrating optical and magnetic characteristics. However, synergistic manipulation of different physical properties in lanthanide systems is still challenging. Herein we designed and synthesized a mononuclear complex [Dy^III(SCN)₃(depma)₂(4-hpy)₂] (1), which incorporates 9-diethylphosphonomethylanthracene (depma) as a photo-active component and 4-hydroxypyridine (4-hpy) as a polar component. This compound shows several unusual features: (a) reversible thermo-responsive phase transition associated with the order–disorder transition of 4-hpy and SCN⁻, which leads to thermochromic behavior and dielectric anomaly; (b) reversible photo-induced dimerization of anthracene groups, which leads to synergistic switching of luminescence, magnetic and dielectric properties. To our knowledge, compound 1 is the first example of lanthanide complexes that show stimuli-triggered synergistic and reversible switching of luminescence, magnetic and dielectric properties.

[Dy^III(SCN)₃(depma)₂(4-hpy)₂] (1) shows reversible thermo-induced phase transition associated with thermochromism and dielectric anomaly and photo-induced dimerization with synergistic switching of luminescence, magnetic and dielectric properties.     

A low‐temperature phase of bis(tetrabutylammonium) octa‐μ3‐chlorido‐hexachlorido‐octahedro‐hexatungstate

The title compound, (C₁₆H₃₆N)₂[W₆Cl₁₄], undergoes a reversible phase transition at 268 (1) K. The structure at 150 and 200 K has monoclinic (P2₁/c) symmetry. Both crystallographically independent tungsten chloride cluster anions sit on crystallographic inversion centers [symmetry codes: (−x, −y + 1, −z) and (−x + 1, −y + 2, −z)]. Two previous studies at room temperature describe the structure in the space group P2₁/n with a unit‐cell volume approximately half the size of the low‐temperature unit cell [Zietlow, Schaefer et al. (1986). Inorg. Chem. 25 , 2195–2198; Venkataraman et al. (1999). Inorg. Chem. 38 , 828–830]. The unit cells of the room‐ and low‐temperature polymorphs are closely related. The hydrocarbon chain of one of the tetrabutylammonium cations is disordered at both 150 and 200 K.