Acquisition of a CCD X-ray Diffractometer for Chemical Crystallography Research and Education

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, Cincinnati OH

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati will acquire an X-ray diffractometer with CCD detector for small molecule diffractometry. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including the following: a) the study of reactive intermediates in crystals; b) design of novel complexes as photodynamic therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancers; c) the study of unusual covalent and hydrogen-bonded geometries of promising catalysts and composite structures; d) the study of host-guest chemistry and molecular recognition; e) investigations on polymorphism and its role in drug interaction and design; and f) the design of supramolecular solids that can function as molecular machines, magnets and coordination polymers . The X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and it provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of the molecule relative to the neighboring molecules. These studies will have an impact in a number of areas, including the preparation of more efficient catalysts, drug development, and materials sciences.