With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program that is co-funded by the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, Professor Orion Berryman from the University of Montana and colleagues Tom Livingstone, Robert Szilagyi, Edward Rosenberg and Charles Thompson will acquire a single crystal X-ray diffractometer. The proposal is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) development of organocatalysts with halogen bonding; (b) solid-state structures of luminescent ruthenium diimine complexes; (c) development of molecular yardsticks to determine the spatial dimensions and key binding motifs of glutamate transporter proteins; (d) asymmetric catalysis of Group 3 metals and cationic cyclizations; (e) development of structure activity relationships for isoxazole containing drug candidates; and (f) electronic and geometric structures of metalloenzymatic and organometallic catalysts.
An X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three-dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of a molecule relative to neighboring molecules. The studies described here will impact a number of areas, including organic and inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry and biochemistry. This instrument will be an integral part of teaching as well as research and research training and will contribute to educate students both at the University of Montana and Montana State University including those from a Native American background as well as high school students and those at a tribal college.
