Moisture-Gated Synergistic Rapid Crystal-to-Liquid Transition in Pyridinium Halide Crystals via [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition.

Chen-Chen Zhang, Lin Chen, Jia-Wang Hou, Jiang-Tao Liu, Hui-Yao Lin, Tian-Yi Xu, Fei Tong, Da-Hui Qu

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Chen-Chen ZhangKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Lin ChenKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Jia-Wang HouKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Jiang-Tao LiuKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Hui-Yao LinKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Tian-Yi XuKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Fei TongKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4545-2230

Da-Hui QuKey Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center For Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, P. R. China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2039-3564

Funding

Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Disciplines Breakthrough Plan of the Ministry of Education of China JYB2025XDXM404Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, and the Guangxi Science and Technology Innovation Platform Program ("Leitai" Action Plan-Guangxi Laboratory Capacity Building) LT2504240013Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission 2023ZKZD40National Natural Science Foundation of China 22220102004National Natural Science Foundation of China 22375063National Natural Science Foundation of China 22405089National Natural Science Foundation of China 22588101Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities B16017Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality 23JC1401700Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality 24DX1400200

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive dynamic crystals, particularly those that respond to light, offer tremendous potential for developing intelligent materials. Whereas specialized photoresponsive behaviors can be achieved through subtle optical modulation, understanding how these crystals interact with other ambient factors remains equally critical but not fully elucidated. Herein, we show crystals based on methylated pyridinium halide derivatives (MX, X═Cl, Br, I) that undergo moisture-gated photoinduced crystal-to-liquid transition (PCLT) via [2+2] photocycloaddition at the vinyl structure. Under visible-light irradiation and high local humidity, MX crystals melt rapidly within 1 min (20-50 s). In contrast, under drier conditions, the crystals display vigorous photomechanical motions, including jumping, expanding, and splintering instead. Ambient water molecules surrounding crystal surfaces are found to significantly promote photocycloaddition and stabilize the generated photodimers, leading to a crystal that fully melts outward to inward when local humidity exceeds 60% under light. This process also enables the instant recrystallization growth of photodimer single crystals via a solvent-free approach. Furthermore, we develop a facile sensor system for real-time monitoring of local humidity and for quantifying trace moisture in water-miscible solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). Our work highlights the significance of synergistic environmental conditions and light stimuli in unlocking advanced functionalities in crystalline materials.

Indexed as

[2+2] photocycloadditiondynamic crystalsmoisture sensingphase transitionphotoresponse regulation

Identifiers

PMID42301938

DOI10.1002/smll.74230

PMCPMC13450265

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.