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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
09:15
Growing Protein Crystals with Distinct Dimensions Using Automated Crystallization Coupled with In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering
Published on: August 14, 2018
The growing world of crystal forms
Dario Braga1, Fabrizia Grepioni, Lucia Maini
1Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Chimica G. Ciamician, Via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy. dario.braga@unibo.it
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|July 13, 2010
Summary
Discovering new crystal forms of molecules, including polymorphs and co-crystals, offers opportunities to tailor material properties for diverse applications like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state chemistry
- Materials science
- Crystallography
Background:
- Molecules can exist in numerous solid forms (crystals, solvates, salts, co-crystals, polymorphs), each with unique properties.
- Controlling these solid forms is crucial for optimizing material characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the concept of multiple crystal forms for a single molecule.
- To highlight the potential for property modification through crystal engineering.
- To showcase applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, pigments, and organic semiconductors.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and case studies on multiple crystal forms.
- Analysis of structure-property relationships in different crystalline phases.
- Illustrative examples of crystal form preparation and characterization.
Main Results:
- Demonstration that diverse crystal forms (polymorphs, solvates, co-crystals) can be obtained from the same molecule.
- Evidence of significant property variations among different crystal forms.
- Successful modification of crystal properties through strategic selection of crystal forms.
Conclusions:
- Engineering crystal properties via molecular building blocks is complex due to multiple possible solid forms.
- Investigating and preparing new crystal forms presents challenges and opportunities for property tuning.
- The ability to modify crystal properties has broad implications for various industries.
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