A New Pictorial Approach to Molecular Structure and Reactivity

Author

Creon Levit, NASA Ames Research Center.

Abstract

The Laplacian of the electronic charge density can be used to justify molecular structure, predict reactivity, and gain insight into a variety of chemical properties [1]. Lone pairs, unpaired electrons, electrophilic and nucleaphilic reactive sites can be clearly seen using theis technique, and qualitative predictions about reactivity are often readily apparent.

High-accuracy quantum calculations combine with high-quality rendering to produce images that are both beautiful and educational. We are prototyping a "book" of small molecules visualized using this technique for the world-wide-web.

References:

[1] R. F. W. Bader. Atoms in Molecules. Oxford. 1994.

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NAS Web Work: Al Globus