Negative linear compressibility exhibited by the hybrid perovskite [(NH2)3C]Er(HCO2)2(C2O4)

Extended framework materials with specific topologies can exhibit unusual mechanical behaviour, such as expanding in one direction under hydrostatic (uniform) pressure, known as negative linear compressibility (NLC). Here, two hybrid perovskite frameworks with winerack structures, a known NLC topology, are investigated under pressure. [C(NH2)3]Er(HCO2)2(C2O4) exhibits NLC from ambient pressure to 2.63(10) GPa, the first reported NLC hybrid perovskite from ambient pressure. However, isostructural [(CH3)2NH2]Er(HCO2)2(C2O4) instead compresses relatively moderately along all axes before it undergoes a phase transition above 0.37(10) GPa. The differences in the mechanical properties can be interpreted from differences in host–guest interactions within these frameworks, primarily their hydrogen bond networks.