Chapter 8 Crystallization : From the Conformer to the Crystal

Crystallization, commonly defined as a process of formation of a crystalline solid from a supersaturated solution, melt or vapor phase, is an old technique widely used in laboratory and in industrial processes to separate and purify substances. In various modern industries, crystalline forms with a certain habit, size and structure, constitute the basic materials for the production of highly sophisticated materials [1, 2]. Integrat‐ ed circuits as well as piezoelectric and optical materials are just a few examples of de‐ vices whose properties are dependent on the crystal structure. Also, in organic chemistry, molecular crystals with determined characteristics are now-a-days of utmost importance for the production of pharmaceuticals, dyestuffs, pigments, foodstuffs, chemicals, cosmetics, etc. For all these reasons, crystal growth has become an impor‐ tant and attractive research field.