The approach for enhancing the elasticity of crystals with suboptimal elastic performances through a rational design was presented. A hydrogen-bonding link was identified as a critical feature in the structure of the parent material, the Cd(II) coordination polymer [CdI2(I-pz)2] n (I-pz = iodopyrazine), to determine the mechanical output and was modified via cocrystallization. Small organic coformers resembling the initial organic ligand but with readily available hydrogens were selected to improve the identified link, and the extent of strengthening the critical link was in an excellent correlation with the delivered enhancement of elastic flexibility materials.

C24H16CoBr2N4O4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.1134(4) Å, b = 16.1731(6) Å, c = 13.7057(5) Å, β = 105.363(4)°, V = 2375.41(16) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0588, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1101, T = 170(2) K.