• Natural Sciences -> Chemistry and materials

• 0 Comment

How has crystallography helped advance the study of chemistry?

Lily Laye

Crystallography has revolutionized the way we understand chemistry. It has provided scientists with a new lens to observe the structure of molecules and solids. By identifying the atomic structure of materials, crystallography has helped us to fully comprehend the interactions between atoms and the 3D arrangements that they form. This knowledge has allowed chemists to make major breakthroughs in the development of new drugs, materials and technologies.

One of the key factors that make crystallography so useful is its ability to identify the chemical bonding within a substance. Chemical bonds can be thought of as the glue that holds atoms together, and the identification of these bonds is vital for understanding how molecules and crystals function. The technique of X-ray crystallography has been a game-changer in this respect, facilitating the visualisation of the structure of substances at an atomic level. Using X-rays in this way allows scientists to observe atoms in their natural state, thereby giving new insights into how they interact and react with other atoms.

Of particular significance has been crystallography's contribution to the field of drug development. With the help of crystallography, chemists can design drugs that fit perfectly into a target receptor by understanding the 3D structure of the receptor in detail. By knowing the exact 3D shape of the receptor, chemists can create a drug to bind to it and alter it to stop certain biological processes, such as disease-causing proteins. The development of cancer drugs, for example, was made possible by using crystallography to study the structure of enzymes that hold back immune cells from attacking cancer cells.

Another area that has benefited greatly from crystallography is the design and technology of new materials. One example is the field of semiconductor technology. Here, crystallography has enabled scientists to identify defects in the crystal lattice of silicon, improving the efficiency of silicon-based electronic components, such as transistors. Crystallography has also led to the development of new materials like zeolites, which are used to absorb pollutants and toxins from the environment.

In short, crystallography has been instrumental in advancing the study of chemistry and has enabled incredible progress in many fields where chemical knowledge is essential. It has facilitated exciting new breakthroughs in drug development, materials engineering, geochemistry and many other areas. With the ongoing development of crystallographic techniques, there is no doubt that new discoveries and advances in chemistry will continue to unfold.