Single crystal structure analysis via magnetically oriented microcrystal arrays

Abstract

X-ray single crystal structure analysis was performed on three-dimensional magnetically oriented microcrystal arrays (3D-MOMAs) of L-alanine, 1,3,5-triphenyl benzene, and cellobiose. A 3D-MOMA is a composite in which powdery microcrystals are aligned three dimensionally. Microcrystals suspended in a UV-curable monomer were subjected to a time dependent magnetic field, followed by consolidation of the monomer to fix the 3D alignment of the microcrystals. The structures determined from X-ray diffractometry of the three 3D-MOMAs were in excellent agreement with those of the corresponding single crystals reported in the literature, demonstrating the usefulness of the 3D-MOMA technique for single crystal structure analyses in circumstances where a large single crystal is not available.