Discovery of new ferroelectrics: [H2dbco]2 x [Cl3] x [CuCl3(H2O)2] x H2O (dbco = 1,4-Diaza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane).

Compound H(2)dbco x [Cl(3)] x [CuCl(3)(H(2)O)(2)] x H(2)O undergoes a sharp dielectric anomaly and a paraelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition at approximately -23 degrees C with a spontaneous polarization of 1.04 microC cm(-2), being the first molecular metal coordination compound ferroelectrics with a large dielectric response involving a 2 orders of magnitude enhancement and distinct Curie phase transition point. This work has proved an effective way for exploration of new ferroelectrics based on a five-coordinated divalent metal through the combination of crystal engineering and Landau phase transition theory.