In situ crtystallization of low melting materials

The structural analysis of materials which are liquid below 30 oC are generally difficult. Materials having very low melting point (sub-ambient temperature) are crystallized directly on the X-ray diffractometer. Prof. Roland Boese developed this technique in 1990s in Germany and since then the method has gained popularity among the crystallographers. The technique involves crystallization of liquid material under liquid nitrogen cryo stream and then conversion of the polycrystalline material in to a single crystal by controlled melting and re-solidification utilizing a device called ”Optical Heating and Crystallization Device” (OHCD), developed by Prof. Boese.
We have been involved in the structural study of liquids and liquid mixtures utilizing the technique of in-situ cryo-crystallization using OHCD. Cocrystals of cresols with fluorianilines have been explored and published recently.

Recent Publications

In situ co-crystallization of cresols with aniline and fluoroanilines: subtle interplay of strong and weak hydrogen bonds

Angshuman R. Choudhury, Dmitry S. Yufit and Judith A.K. Howard
Z. Kristallogr., 2014, 229, 625-634