X-ray crystallography is one of the most useful analytical methods in chemistry today. The x-ray fired at the structure diffracts in a certain way, dependent of the crystal lattice structure. There is only one major disadvantage for this analytical method. It only works on crystal structures.
As chemists, i'm sure we can understand the extensive crystallisation process. When you find that the new compound you have formed does not actually crystallise this may be disheartening. But do not fear! Scientists in Japan have recently discovered that this problem can be overcome.
The answer is a molecular cage. The molecular cage is a 'crystal sponge' formed from a metal centre and organic ligands that can hold structures which are not crystals. X-ray crystallography is then effective.
Amazingly, this is not the end. This method of a molecular cage has been developed so that single crystal diffraction (SCD) can be used, even on liquids. This can be done with as little as 0.1 micrograms of the stuff!
Of course, since the compounds being analysed like this are not crystals the results will not be as accurate as those for crystalline structures, however this method is revolutionary in my eyes and is extremely useful when used in conjunction with other analytical methods such as mass and NMR spectroscopy.
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