With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities-Departmental Multiuser Instrument Acquisition (CRIF-MU) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University will acquire a single-crystal X-ray diffractometer with CCD detector and low temperature capability. Research projects that will be enhanced by this instrument includes studies on (a) the mechanism of amine oxidation catalyzed by the copper/quinine-dependent amine oxidases and the design of mechanism-based inactivators; b) modification of proteins by lipid and sugar oxidation products during oxidative stress; c) novel oligomeric and polymeric materials; d) characterization of nanosized aggregates that form at the outset of biomineralization; d) highly controlled asymmetric reactions; e) synthesis of new and unusual three-dimensional architectures; and f) properties of metal macrocycles.
The X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and it provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of the molecule relative to the neighboring molecules. These studies will have an impact in a number of areas, especially synthetic chemistry, materials science and biochemistry. In addition, the diffractometer will be cyber-enabled to allow access to users at remote locations.
