X-ray crystallography of chemical compounds

Aims: Accurate knowledge of molecular structure is a prerequisite for rational drug design. This review examines the role of X-ray crystallography in providing the required structural information and advances in the field of X-ray crystallography that enhance or expand its role. Main methods: X-ray crystallography of new drugs candidates and intermediates can provide valuable information of new syntheses and parameters for quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR). Key findings: Crystallographic studies play a vital role in many disciplines including materials science, chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology. X-ray crystallography is the most comprehensive technique available to determine molecular structure. A requirement for the high accuracy of crystallographic structures is that a 'good crystal' must be found, and this is often the rate-limiting step. In the past three decades developments in detectors, increases in computer power, and powerful graphics capabilities have contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of materials characterized by X-ray crystallography. More recently the advent of high-throughput crystallization techniques has enhanced our ability to produce that one good crystal required for crystallographic analysis. Significance: Continuing advances in all phases of a crystallographic study have expanded the ranges of samples which can be analyzes by X-ray crystallography to include larger molecules, smaller or weakly diffracting crystals, and twinned crystals. Published by Elsevier Inc.