Perils of Polymorphism: Size Matters

Michael D. Ward

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Since the discovery of polymorphism in 1832, the ability of molecular crystals to adopt different crystal forms has intrigued and frustrated the scientific community. Control of this property has been limited by poor understanding of nucleation pathways and the absence of methods that can intercept crystallization at its earliest stages. Nonetheless, polymorphism, a favorite subject of Jack Dunitz, who is honored in this special issue, has opened a window into the forces that govern molecular organization in the solid state, while enabling discovery of new crystal forms with improved properties. This review illustrates the growth of crystals in nanoscale reactors with sizes comparable with those for nucleation, where thermodynamics and kinetics intersect, changing polymorph stabilities, providing insights into nucleation, enabling discovery of new polymorphs, and even suggesting a route to disappearing polymorphs, brought to our attention by Dunitz and Bernstein twenty years ago.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)82-92
Number of pages11
JournalIsrael Journal of Chemistry
Volume57
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2017

Keywords

  • crystal growth
  • nucleation
  • polymorphism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Perils of Polymorphism: Size Matters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this