Dynamic effects in crystalline coordination polymers

This highlight presents the recent scientific developments in the mechanical properties of crystalline coordination polymers (CPs). CPs have emerged as relatively new crystalline materials in the field of mechanically responsive crystals, which has been mostly limited to organic crystals. In the quest of developing multifunctional actuating materials, CPs have the potential to come out as leading candidates. Previously thought serendipitous dynamic effects can be rationally induced in mechanically compliant crystals after understanding structure–property relationship at the molecular level. This overview specifically focusses on the potential of CPs in the light of prior studies.