Fundamentals of Chemical Crystallography and Diffraction

Graduate / Professional

Accurate and precise structure models of small molecules provide critical insight into the function and properties of materials. This course introduces the principles of chemical crystallography, focusing on structure determination by X-ray diffraction. Key topics include diffraction geometry, symmetry elements, space group theory, and solving “the phase problem.” With the growing role of electron crystallography in structural analysis, the course will also introduce Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) as a complementary technique for determining structures from nanocrystalline materials. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in diffraction principles, including an understanding of how and why crystals produce diffraction patterns. They will develop an appreciation for the chemical significance of these patterns and the distinct advantages and challenges of using X-rays versus electrons to probe crystalline materials. Prerequisite: inorganic chemistry, CHEM 502, or permission of the instructor. ½ Course cr TTh 11:35am-12:50pm