Isostructural phase transition and tunable water rotation within a unique solid rotor system

Abstract

Through the combined techniques of variable-temperature X-ray structure analysis, dielectric measurement, isotope substitution and molecular dynamics simulation, we investigate a new supramolecular gyroscope (t-BuNH₃)(18-crown-6)[ZnBr₃(H₂O)]. It undergoes an unusual isostructural phase transition, which is different to the non-isostructural one of the chlorine substituted analogue we reported previously. In addition, their solid solutions can be obtained, with a tunable phase transition temperature and the related properties. The comparative analysis of these homologous supramolecular gyroscopes provides in-depth insight for understanding the mechanism of the rarely observed temperature-induced isostructural phase transition as well as modulating the dipole rotation in crystals.