Potential and challenges of engineering mechanically flexible molecular crystals

This highlight gives an overview of recent advances in mechanically flexible molecular crystals, with qualitative and quantitative studies performed on different molecular systems. The diverse methods for the tuning of mechanical properties via crystal engineering have gained immense attention in the field of materials science. Such studies render support in establishing the structure to properties to function parallels. The understanding of intermolecular interactions helps in a systematic placement of different molecular crystals in the elastic-plastic spectrum. This overview helps in emphasizing the potential as well as challenges faced in predicting/designing mechanically compliant crystalline compounds.