Upgrade of the Departmental X-Ray Diffractometer

X射线结晶学技术是测定小分子多肽和复杂金属簇合物分子结构的有力工具。当与现代计算硬件和软件相结合时，该技术在实践中是非常有效的。X射线晶体仪器的获得显著提高了化学家开展前沿研究的能力。明尼苏达大学化学系将利用化学共享仪器计划授予的这一奖项，帮助获得、运营和维护其现有X射线设施的重要升级。新仪器将用于加强以下化学领域的研究：1)亲核攻击的结晶证据腈类化合物2)固态有机分子中的氢键模式3)新有机和有机金属化合物的结构4)新过渡金属羰基簇合物的结构5)金过渡金属合金的合成和反应活性化合物及其作为催化剂和新材料的应用。

The technique of X-ray crystallography is a powerful tool for the determination of the molecular structure of compounds as diverse as small polypeptides and complex metal clusters. When combined with modern computing hardware and software, the technique is remarkably efficient to put into practice. The acquisition of X-ray crystallographic instrumentation markedly improves the ability of chemists to carry out frontier research. The Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota will use this award from the Chemistry Shared Instrumentation Program to help acquire, operate and maintain important upgrades for its current X-ray facility. The new instrumentation will be used to enhance research in the following areas of chemistry: 1) Crystallographic evidence for nucleophilic attack on nitriles 2) Hydrogen bonding patterns in solid state organic molecules 3) Structures of new organic and organometallic compounds 4) Structures of new transition metal carbonyl clusters 5) Synthesis and reactivity of gold transition metal alloy compounds with applications as catalysts and new materials.