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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
In-situ vibrational optical rotatory dispersion of molecular organic crystals at high pressures
W Montgomery1, Ph Lerch2, M A Sephton1
1Department of Earth Science and Engineering, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Abstract:
Organic structures respond to pressure with a variety of mechanisms including degradation, intramolecular transformation and intermolecular bonding. The effects of pressure on chiral organic structures are of particular interest because of the potential steric controls on the fate of pressurized molecules. Despite representing a range of opportunities, the simultaneous study of high pressures on different forms of chiral structures is poorly explored. We have combined synchrotron-source vibrational optical rotatory dispersion, micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the use of a diamond anvil cell to simultaneously monitor the effects of pressure on the two enantiomers of the simple amino acid, alanine.
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