Mixed crystals result when components of the structure
are randomly
replaced by analogues in ratios that can be varied continuously over
certain ranges. Mixed crystals are useful because their properties
can be adjusted by increments, simply by altering the ratio of components.
Unfortunately, no clear rules exist to predict when two compounds
are similar enough to form mixed crystals containing substantial amounts
of both. To gain further understanding, we have used single-crystal
X-ray diffraction, computational methods, and other tools to study
mixed crystallizations within a selected set of structurally related
compounds. This work has allowed us to begin to clarify the rules
governing the phenomenon by showing that mixed crystals can have compositions
and properties that vary continuously over wide ranges, even when
the individual components do not normally crystallize in the same
way. Moreover, close agreement of the results of our experiments and
computational modeling demonstrates that reliable predictions about
mixed crystallization can be made, despite the complexity of the phenomenon.