Hydrogen-Bonded Homochiral Molecular Crystals with Mechanical Elasticity and Photomechanical Bending

Molecular crystals with mechanical elasticity and photomechanical bending based on the homochiral effect are presented. Through homochiral assembly, the V-shaped chiral cyanostilbenes form a hydrogen-bonded stair-like packing and further arrange into tile-window structures. These structures have enough free volume for molecular motions, promoting crystal flexibility and photoresponses. Notably, the hydrogen bonds play a dual function in the homochiral crystal. They enhance the resilience of the crystal to improve elasticity and facilitate force transmission from Z-E isomerization for crystal photobending. Our work broadens the application of the homochiral effect in regulating dynamic crystal properties.