Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Chemical theory and the interpretation of experiments are typically articulated in terms of individual molecules. In the condensed phase, this approach is less generally applicable than commonly believed: phases, aggregates and clusters abound. But without an indication if and when to look for them, they tend to escape the chemist’s eye and consideration. Nonetheless, assemblies of even a handful of molecules show behaviour that resembles that of bulk phases rather than of individual molecules. We review illustrative examples and revisit general scientific laws for assemblies. We then illustrate how they apply to surprisingly common experimental situations, and outline some methodology and general cues for detecting phase behaviour that could otherwise remain hidden. We conclude that analysis in terms of phases enables straightforward interpretation of behaviour that can otherwise be quite perplexing.
Source: ChemRxiv
Authors: Alex Blokhuis, Yannick Geiger, Sijbren Otto
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7216506246