What simple geometric shapes do molecules exhibit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the geometric shapes exhibited by molecules, exploring various types of simple shapes such as linear polymers, DNA structures, and complex molecular forms. Participants share examples and inquire about the most intricate or unusual molecular shapes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions linear polymers, DNA, buckyballs, and benzene rings as examples of molecular shapes.
  • Another participant lists a variety of geometric shapes including triangles, squares, and complex structures like buckytubes and buckyballs, emphasizing the diversity of molecular forms.
  • Complex natural products such as taxol and maitotoxin are highlighted as examples of intricate molecular shapes.
  • There is a reference to ciguatoxin as a potentially complex molecule, with a request for more information about its structure.
  • A link is provided to the structure of maitotoxin, which is noted as a large non-repetitive biomolecule.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the identification of ciguatoxin, indicating a lack of definitive information on its structure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share various examples of molecular shapes, but there is no consensus on the most complex molecule or the specifics of ciguatoxin's structure, indicating ongoing uncertainty and exploration.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific molecules and their structures, but there are limitations in the clarity of certain claims, particularly regarding the identification and characteristics of ciguatoxin.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying molecular geometry, chemistry, or natural products, as well as individuals curious about the diversity of molecular shapes.

Loren Booda
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What types of simple geometric shapes are represented by molecules? I think of linear polymers, DNA, buckyballs, benzene rings, various crystal lattices...

What comes to your mind? Other polygons, hyperbolas, parabolas, spirals, fractals, ovals...?

How about what's the most random or complex molecule you know?
 
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What kind of shape are you looking for? I've got it. I've got triangles, I've got squares, pentagons, crap, you name the number of corners you want in you're polygon and we've got it.

We've got pyramids, cubes, dodecahedrons. We've got a special on israelane, a 3-D Star of David. We've got molecular anthropomorhpic stick figures. Buckytubes, buckyballs, buckyonions, bucky peapods. We've got anything you can think, and our inventory's growing everyday.

Pss, let me get you in on a little secret, friend, cause I like your face. If it's complexity you're looking for, look no further than natural products, and there's nothing that geometrical regular solids have on these babies. Take a look at our taxol, or tetradodoxin. Take a gander at rapamycin, calicheamycin, brevetoxin, and the grand daddy of them all... maitotoxin.
 


Originally posted by Chemicalsuperfreak
... maitotoxin.

What's the story on this one? Ugliest thing in my database is ciguatoxin (?), Chem. Rev. about ten years ago on natural products.
 


Originally posted by Bystander
What's the story on this one? Ugliest thing in my database is ciguatoxin (?), Chem. Rev. about ten years ago on natural products.

Don't know about ciguatoxin, but here's a link with the structure of maitotoxin.

http://mol.ch.wani.osaka-u.ac.jp/lab/murata/murata/achiev_engl.html

It's clearly related to brevetoxin, the principle toxin in red tide.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Let's see the IUPAC name for that puppy. Thanks, I should see if I can dredge up the beast I saw in Chem. Rev. --- strikes me it went around 9000 --- I'd swear ciguatoxin, but don't really want to bank on it.

(edit)
Don't hold your breath, anyone --- just went through the entire review article, Chem, Rev. July-Aug 93, and nothing matches what I remember; maitotoxin does appear as the largest non-repetitive biomolecule for which structure has been elucidated.
 
Last edited:

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