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.