What simple geometric shapes do molecules exhibit?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the geometric shapes exhibited by various molecules, highlighting examples such as linear polymers, DNA, buckyballs, and benzene rings. Participants mention complex molecular structures like maitotoxin and ciguatoxin, emphasizing the diversity of shapes including triangles, squares, and dodecahedrons. The conversation also touches on the significance of natural products in showcasing molecular complexity, with references to specific compounds like taxol and brevetoxin. The discussion provides insights into the vast array of molecular geometries and their implications in chemistry.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of molecular geometry and shapes
  • Familiarity with organic compounds and their structures
  • Knowledge of IUPAC nomenclature for chemical compounds
  • Basic concepts of molecular complexity and natural products
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geometric structures of natural products like maitotoxin and taxol
  • Explore the properties and applications of buckyballs and other fullerenes
  • Learn about the molecular structures of ciguatoxin and brevetoxin
  • Investigate the role of molecular geometry in drug design and development
USEFUL FOR

Chemists, molecular biologists, and students interested in molecular geometry and the structural diversity of organic compounds will benefit from this discussion.

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.
 
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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.
 
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