Crystalline-Phase-Recognition-Induced Domino Phase Transition and Luminescence Switching for Advanced Information Encryption.

Herein, a new mechanism, namely, crystalline phase recognition (CPR), is proposed for the single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transition of metal halides. Chiral β-[Bmmim] SbCl (Bmmim=1-butyl-2,3-methylimidazolium) can recognize achiral α-[Bmmim] SbCl on the basis of a key-lock feature through intercontact of their single crystals, resulting in a domino phase transition (DPT). The concomitant photoluminescence (PL) switching enables observation of the DPT in situ. The liquid eutectic interface, stress-strain transfer, and feasible thermodynamics are key issues for the CPR. DFT calculations and PL measurements revealed that the optical absorption and emission of the isomers mainly originate from [SbCl ] anions. The structural effects (e.g., supramolecular interactions and [SbCl ] distortion) on the optical emission are clarified. As a novel type of stimuli response, the CPR-induced DPT and luminescence switching exhibit potential for application in advanced time-resolved information encryption.