Simple crystallographic model for anomalous plasticity of L-Leucinium hydrogen maleate crystals

A simple crystallographic model for anomalously high plasticity of molecular crystal of L-Leucinium hydrogen maleate (LLHM) even at cryogenic temperatures was suggested. Based on our previous studies and literature data "sliding layers" mechanism was used to describe this property. One principle direction for sliding and corresponding bending was suggested, showing only low-energy vdW interactions involved in this process. Combined data allowed making one step forward in understanding high plasticity of LLHM at ambient and low temperatures and suggesting qualitative description of systems that may exhibit same properties even at extreme conditions.