biostudies-literatureParisi EEuropean Research CouncilNextGenerationEU14731-14738https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12046552biostudies-literatureUnknown147(17)Thermosalient transitions are a subset of single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transitions, in which the change of lattice parameters is highly anisotropic and very fast. As a result, crystals at the transition undergo macroscopic dynamical effects (hopping, jumping, and shattering). These transitions feature a conversion of heat to mechanical energy that can be exploited in the realization of advanced materials. Most thermosalient transitions are observed at temperatures higher than room temperature. Examples of low-temperature thermosalient transitions are rare. We describe a new example of a low-temperature thermosalient transition in a sexiphenyl compound. At about -40 °C, the parent single crystal (phase I) shatters into single crystal fragments of the new phase (phase II). The twoJournal of the American Chemical SocietyMechanical Transitions in Crystals: The Low-Temperature Thermosalient Transition of a Mesogenic Polyphenyl.PMC12046552949229E63C22002040007E53D23009360006Kula PParisi EGupta SSimone EZarrella SCentore RKorter TMSantagata EHerman JfalseMechanical Transitions in Crystals: The Low-Temperature Thermosalient Transition of a Mesogenic Polyphenyl.Thermosalient transitions are a subset of single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transitions, in which the change of lattice parameters is highly anisotropic and very fast. As a result, crystals at the transition undergo macroscopic dynamical effects (hopping, jumping, and shattering). These transitions feature a conversion of heat to mechanical energy that can be exploited in the realization of advanced materials. Most thermosalient transitions are observed at temperatures higher than room temperature. Examples of low-temperature thermosalient transitions are rare. We describe a new example of a low-temperature thermosalient transition in a sexiphenyl compound. At about -40 °C, the parent single crystal (phase I) shatters into single crystal fragments of the new phase (phase II). The two2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Apr2025-07-13T03:04:25.48Z2025-07-13T03:04:25.48ZS-EPMC120465524024321710.1021/jacs.5c03448