Solution growth of molecular crystals: Exploratory techniques

Abstract “Molecular crystals” built from either organic or organometallic molecules, organic-inorganic complexes and molecular ions containing substances offer extensive possibilities of materials engineering in many fields of solid state science. They exhibit interesting potential uses in optoelectronics. In the search of new molecular crystals solution growth is suitable for preparing rapidly specimens for a first assessment of properties. Examples of apparatus and procedures for determining the solubility vs. temperature dependence, mapping the primary crystallization range in different solvents, as well as for growing crystals of several selected materials are described.