Herein
we report the unique properties of a new Schiff base ligand
(H
2
L), synthesized
and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Further, it has been authenticated by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction
(XRD) study. In a solid state, H
2
L can bend upon an externally applied stress and rapidly
reverts to its original shape upon relaxation, revealing highly flexible
and elastic bending properties. Powder XRD and Raman studies indicate
high retention of crystallinity and chemical bonds even under stress
(bend) conditions, which implies that the bending in H
2
L is due to the intermolecular
hydrogen bonding and C–H···π interactions.
Moreover, in the solution state, H
2
L is fluorescent, non-cytotoxic, and selectively
labels mitochondria of live cells and tumor spheroids.