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Published on: May 27, 2020
Electron crystallography of organic materials
1Advanced Characterization, Corporate Strategic Research, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co., Inc., 1545 Route 22 East, Annandale, NJ 08801, USA. d.l.dorset@exxonmobil.com <d.l.dorset@exxonmobil.com>
Ultramicroscopy
|January 24, 2007
Summary
Electron crystallography effectively determines organic material structures using direct methods and electron diffraction. This technique successfully elucidated structures of polymers, pigments, and protein assemblies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
- Chemistry
Background:
- Electron crystallography is a powerful technique for analyzing the structure of materials at the atomic level.
- Direct methods offer a pathway for ab initio crystallographic phase determination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of electron crystallography to organic materials.
- To highlight the effectiveness of direct methods for ab initio structure determination using electron diffraction.
Main Methods:
- Electron crystallography was employed to study various organic materials.
- Direct methods were utilized for crystallographic phase determination from electron diffraction intensities.
Main Results:
- Direct methods proved highly effective for ab initio structure analyses.
- Previously uncharacterized crystal structures were elucidated.
- Successful applications included chain-folded linear polymers, pigments, polydisperse linear chain arrays, and protein subgroup assemblies.
Conclusions:
- Electron crystallography, particularly with direct methods, is a valuable tool for organic materials research.
- The technique enables the determination of complex and previously unknown crystal structures.
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