Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Structural Studies of Macromolecules in Solution using Small Angle X-Ray Scattering
Published on: November 5, 2018
X-ray structure study of ranaconitine hydrobromide
Jun-Hui Zhou1, Yang Li, Lei Zhang
1Xi'an Botanical Garden, Institute of Botany of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Ranaconitine is an important diterpenoid alkaloid from Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai. The absolute configuration of natural ranaconitine was determined through an X-ray structure analysis of hydrated ranaconitine hydrobromide. The crystal presents a monoclinic system, space group P2(1) with Z = 2, unit cell dimensions: a = 10.6604(12) Å, b = 12.3674(14) Å, c = 12.2938(13) Å and β = 91.056(2)°. The chirality of the asymmetric carbon atoms was as follows: C10(S), C13(S), C14(S), C15(S), C16(S), C17(R), C23(S), C25(R), C26(S), C27(S), C28(S) and C30(S). Moreover, a complex network of hydrogen bonds occurred between neighbouring molecules.
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Amines
Determination of Crystal Structures
X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal crystal...
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Structures of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Carboxylic acid derivatives contain an acyl group attached to a heteroatom such as chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The carbonyl carbon and oxygen are both sp2-hybridized with an unhybridized p orbital.
The three sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl carbon form three σ bonds, one each with the carbonyl oxygen, the α carbon, and the heteroatom, whereas the other two sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl oxygen are occupied by the lone pairs. Further, the unhybridized p...
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Temporal Resolution

