Solid solutions of flexible host-guest supramolecules for tuning molecular motion and phase transitions

• Published in: Chemical communications (Cambridge, England) Vol. 57; no. 59; pp. 7292 - 7295
• Main Authors: Zhou, Xun-Hui, Zeng, Ying, Tang, Shao-Bin, Yu, Zi-Ru, Cao, Li-Ming, Du, Zi-Yi, He, Chun-Ting
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 28.07.2021
• Subjects: Chain dynamics; chemical communication; Crystallography; dielectrics; Elastic deformation; Formability; Molecular motion; phase transition; Phase transitions; Solid solutions; Supramolecular compounds
• ISSN: 1359-7345; 1364-548X; 1364-548X
• DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02061g

By utilizing a supramolecular complex rather than an individual molecule as a deformable and elastic substitutional component, we put forward a solid-solution strategy and demonstrate an example of how two related yet non-isostructural crystalline host-guest compounds can form molecular solid solutions. Interestingly, such a strategy can effectively and continuously modulate the molecular motion and phase transition in them, as revealed by the variable-temperature/frequency dielectric responses. By utilizing supramolecular complex as a deformable/elastic substitutional component, we put forward a unique strategy for the formation of molecular solid solutions, which can modulate the molecular motion and phase transition in molecular solids.