Molecular mechanics of elastic and bendable caffeine co-crystals

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2014 Jul 14;16(26):13165-71. doi: 10.1039/c3cp55117b.

Abstract

Complementing recent experimental results, here we report a computational study of remarkably flexible, elastically bendable caffeine cocrystals (cocrystal solvate 1), formed from caffeine (CAF), 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (CNB), and methanol, and compare with its unsolvated brittle form, 1 (dry). We show that 1 is able to maintain stable cocrystal structures at temperatures between 100 K and 400 K. The tensile and compressive Young's modulus of 1 are close to ~10 GPa. The ultimate strength is more than 600 MPa in tensile and 400 MPa in compressive at temperature of 100 K. The simulation results of the structural and mechanical properties of 1 are in good agreement with our previous experimental work. Notably, before the ultimate tensile stress, the stress-to-strain curves of 1 show linear behavior, but 1 (dry) show nonlinear behavior. This study might explain the remarkable elasticity of 1 and is relevant to the design of high-performance organic materials with excellent self-healing or efficient stress dissipating properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / chemistry*
  • Chlorobenzoates / chemistry*
  • Compressive Strength
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Elastic Modulus
  • Hardness
  • Materials Testing
  • Methanol / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Chlorobenzoates
  • Solvents
  • 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid
  • Caffeine
  • Methanol