Structure elucidation

X-ray crystal structures of transient intermediates obtained during reactions can provide direct evidence of reaction mechanisms and potentially information on structure–reactivity relationships.

Polymorphs, crystals with different structure and properties but the same molecular composition, arise from the subtle interplay between thermodynamics and kinetics during crystallisation. In this opinion piece, the authors review the latest developments in the field of polymorphism and discuss standing open questions.

Single-molecule conductance measurements enable different conformers of cyclohexane to be observed at room temperature.

Most compounds form crystals so small that scientists cannot experimentally determine their atomic structures using X-ray crystallography. Microcrystal electron diffraction now provides a unique solution for this challenge.