FRS 002BB —
Sec. 001 —
(2 unit) — CRN 53672 — T 4:10-6:00pm— 263 Olson
How Do We Know What Molecules Look Like?
Instructor: Hakon Hope, Department of Chemistry, College of
Letters and
Science
Description: Most of what we know about the shapes
of molecules
comes from X-ray crystallography. Although no other discipline has contributed
so much to the way we view molecules and their interactions, X-ray
crystallography
receives only cursory attention in undergraduate chemistry
instruction. This seminar
aims to remedy this for the participants. A look at the inner workings of X-ray
crystallography will be presented in a form appropriate for
inquisitive first-year
students. A series of important results will be discussed. An important goal of
the seminar is to gain an appreciation for the significance of molecular shapes
in chemistry and biology. A summary outline of topics: The conceptual problem
of molecular shape. Review of pre-diffraction history (e.g. the
structure of benzene,
van't Hoff's tetrahedral carbon atom). X-rays. Max von Laue's 1912 experiment
on CuSO4.5H2O. The Bragg experiments. Later developments in
diffraction methods.
Timeline of key structures (NaCl, diamond, steroids, vitamin B12,
proteins, viruses,
ribosomes). Nobel prizes related to structure or crystallography.
What is happening
today.
Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week. There
will be a mixture of informal presentation by the instructor and participation
by the students. As students gain knowledge and confidence, their
level of participation
is expected to increase. There will be laboratory visits to demonstrate sample
preparation, data collection and development and display of results. There is
no text assigned. Background material will be distributed, at times in the form
of urls. There will be assignments for study outside contact hours.
Grading:
The course grade will be based on class participation (20%), an oral
presentation
(20%) and a short, written report (60%). The written report will be due early
enough so that there will be time both for a critical review (constructive) by
the instructor and submission of a revised report. The report grade
will be based
on the final version.
About the Instructor: Hakon Hope is professor
emeritus of chemistry.
His research interests are mainly in the development and improvement
of experimental
methods in X-ray crystallography. He is currently working on methods involving
liquid helium temperatures.