Presentation of the technique

Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) is the reference technique in structural crystallography. Knowledge of molecular and crystalline structure is essential to understand everything relating to molecule stereochemistry (chirality, stereoisomerism, etc.), and in a more general way, structure-activity relationships. This essential information is often difficult to obtain with other methods of characterization.

In many fields, X-ray diffraction is one of the most important analytical method: catalysis, chemical reactivity, coordination chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, development of new materials, solid-state physico-chemistry, etc.

This technique is based on recording diffracted intensities by a single crystal exposed to X-ray radiation. These information are used to determine the three-dimensional structure of molecules down to atomic resolution. We have access to crystallographic and structural information on compounds: 3D atoms positions, interatomic distances and angles, intra and intermolecular bonds, molecular association modes. In advanced studies: determination of absolute configuration of molecules, charges of atoms, etc.