Molecular "LEGO Bricks"
Shown above is a simple organic molecule, a molecular analogue of a LEGO brick.
The molecule is built up from the atoms, carbon (yellow), hydrogen (white),
nitrogen
(blue),
and oxygen (red). The bonds involving nitrogen and oxygen atoms are polar bonds
meaning that the carbon and hydrogen atoms in these bonds have a positive
electrical charge,
while the oxygen and nitrogen atoms have an opposite negative electrical charge.
The attractive forces between these charged atoms are responsible for the
self-assembly of the molecules into the crystalline lattice shown below.
The construction of this "molecular brick wall" began in an chemistry
laboratory where the molecular compound was prepared from smaller molecules using
the techniques of organic synthesis. The molecular compound was
crystallized
into small crystals with exterior dimensions of roughly a half of a millimeter.
A single crystal was subjected to an X-Ray Diffraction study which
revealed the actual structure shown above.
In the actual crystal this "molecular brick wall" extends for about a
million molecules in each direction. For more examples of molecular
constructions consult the
MSL Homepage.
How do you become a molecular LEGO Maniac? It is simple, just send in
your application. Both undergraduate
and graduate applicants to the
Stony Brook Chemistry Department
are always welcome.
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This server is maintained by Joseph W. Lauher --- lauher@sbchem.sunysb.edu
Last Updated 11/28/94