Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
06:35
Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates
Published on: February 15, 2016
8.6K
A structural model of the chiral "Im3m" cubic phase
Kazuya Saito1, Yasuhisa Yamamura1, Yohei Miwa2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan. kazuya@chem.tsukuba.ac.jp.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|January 9, 2016
Summary
A new model explains molecular arrangement in the cubic Im3m phase, proposing twisted rodlike molecules cause chirality. This model resolves issues with defect placement found in previous models.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
- Molecular Physics
Background:
- Chirality in materials often arises from specific molecular arrangements.
- The cubic Im3m phase is a complex crystalline structure.
- Existing models face challenges explaining defect behavior and chirality origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel model for molecular arrangement in the cubic Im3m phase.
- To address limitations of existing models concerning chirality and defects.
- To provide a more accurate representation of molecular organization.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of molecular arrangements.
- Analysis of crystalline structures, specifically the Im3m phase.
- Comparison with existing models and experimental observations (implied).
Main Results:
- A new model for the cubic Im3m phase is proposed.
- The model attributes chirality to the twisted arrangement of rodlike molecules.
- This revised basic structure resolves difficulties with defect placement and twist sense.
Conclusions:
- The proposed model offers a superior explanation for chirality in the Im3m phase.
- It successfully accounts for defect behavior, a key challenge for prior models.
- This work advances the understanding of molecular organization in complex crystalline phases.
Related Concept Videos
02:25Molecules with Multiple Chiral Centers
16.4K
Molecules that possess multiple chiral centers can afford a large number of stereoisomers. For instance, while some molecules like 2-butanol have one chiral center, defined as a tetrahedral carbon atom with four different substituents attached, several molecules like butane-2,3-diol have multiple chiral centers. A simple formula to predict the number of stereoisomers possible for a molecule with n chiral centers is 2n. However, there can be a lower number where some of the stereoisomers are...
16.4K
02:30Chirality at Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur
7.4K
Chirality is most prevalent in carbon-based tetrahedral compounds, but this important facet of molecular symmetry extends to sp3-hybridized nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur centers, including trivalent molecules with lone pairs. Here, the lone pair behaves as a functional group in addition to the other three substituents to form an analogous tetrahedral center that can be chiral.
A consequence of chirality is the need for enantiomeric resolution. While this is theoretically possible for all...
A consequence of chirality is the need for enantiomeric resolution. While this is theoretically possible for all...
7.4K
02:05Prochirality
5.3K
The concept of prochirality leads to the nomenclature of the individual faces of a molecule and plays a crucial role in the enantioselective reaction. It is a concept where two or more achiral molecules react to produce chiral products. A typical process is the reaction of an achiral ketone to generate a chiral alcohol. Here, the achiral reactant reacts with an achiral reducing agent, sodium borohydride, to generate an equimolar mixture of the chiral enantiomers of the product. For example, an...
5.3K
02:25Chirality
32.2K
Chirality is a term that describes the lack of mirror symmetry in an object. In other words, chiral objects cannot be superposed on their mirror images. For example, our feet are chiral, as the mirror image of the left foot, the right foot, cannot be superposed on the left foot.
Chiral objects exhibit a sense of handedness when they interact with another chiral object. For example, our left foot can only fit in the left shoe and not in the right shoe. Achiral objects — objects that have...
Chiral objects exhibit a sense of handedness when they interact with another chiral object. For example, our left foot can only fit in the left shoe and not in the right shoe. Achiral objects — objects that have...
32.2K
02:33Stereoisomerism of Cyclic Compounds
11.9K
In this lesson, we delve into the role of ring conformation and its stability, which determines the spatial arrangement and, consequently, the molecular symmetry and stereoisomerism of cyclic compounds. 1,2-Dimethylcyclohexane is used as a case study to evaluate the possible number of stereoisomers. Here, given the multiple (n = 2) chiral centers, there are 2n = 4 possible configurations that lack a plane of symmetry, as the ring skeleton exists in a non-planar chair conformation. In addition,...
11.9K
01:07Radicals: Electronic Structure and Geometry
5.4K
This lesson delves into the geometry of a radical, which is influenced by the electronic structure of the molecule. The principle is similar to that of a lone pair, where the unpaired electron influences the geometry at the radical center.
Accordingly, the structure of a trivalent radical lies between the geometries of carbocations and carbanions. An sp2-hybridized carbocation is trigonal planar, while an sp3-hybridized carbanion is trigonal pyramidal. Here, the difference in geometry is...
Accordingly, the structure of a trivalent radical lies between the geometries of carbocations and carbanions. An sp2-hybridized carbocation is trigonal planar, while an sp3-hybridized carbanion is trigonal pyramidal. Here, the difference in geometry is...
5.4K