Designed specifically for researchers who are stepping into the intricate world of small molecule X-ray crystallography, this concise guide serves as an essential companion. It navigates through the foundational aspects of crystal structure analysis without delving into the deep scientific physics of diffraction, making it accessible and relevant for every chemist.
The book is divided into essential sections that cover the basics of crystal growing—one of the critical skills needed in this field. Readers will learn about various techniques such as slow evaporation, vapour diffusion, and layering, alongside practical insights into solubility and persistence. Each chapter systematically builds knowledge, from understanding what constitutes a good quality versus a poor quality dataset to the intricate details of what a unit cell is and the significance of symmetry elements in crystallography.
Particularly valuable for postgraduate students, this overview demystifies complex topics through straightforward explanations that emphasize practical application. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on real-world scenarios that researchers face, like assessing the adequacy of a crystal and preparing data for presentations. It culminates in actionable tips for resolving issues that arise with poor quality structures and insights into how to properly manage and report findings.
With its digestible format, "A Brief & Basic Introduction to Practical X-Ray Crystallography and Crystal Growing" inspires confidence in students and researchers alike. Readers will not only enhance their understanding of basic concepts, but they will also gain practical skills that bolster their research capabilities significantly.
Contents:
Introduction, What is a crystal?, What is twinning?, Growing crystals: keep it simple, Slow evaporation, Vapour diffusion, Layering, Solubility, Persistence, What size crystals do I need?, How do I know if my crystals are good enough?, How do we see objects?, How can we see a molecule?, What is an X-ray diffractometer?, Types of diffractometers, What is a unit cell?, What is an asymmetric unit?, What is a symmetry element?, What is a space group?, Solving a crystal structure - the process, Why is my structure poor quality?, Resolution, why structures look bad, Disorder, Number analysis – what is a decent R factor?, Why isn’t my structure publishable?, What can I do if I have a bad structure?, How to open a cif file and look at your structure, Interactions, Tips for writing up or presenting a structure, Checkcif reports and CCDC deposition numbers, What can you say about a poor quality structure?, Conclusion.
