Discusses model studies aimed at elucidating various ways in which molecular oxygen interacts with metalloproteins. The focus is on the chemistry of iron(II) porphyrins and their adducts with nitrogenous bases, carbon monoxide, and dioxygen, which are most relevant to the functional proteries of the heme proteins, hemoglobin, and myoglobin. (JN)

Provides definitions for 31 commonly used polymer science terms. (JM)

Several chemical concepts can be visualized by using deformation density maps. They often present convincing experimental confirmation and they should be incorporated into the chemistry curriculum dealing with bonding and molecular structure. Examples of the maps and quantitative information derived from research studies are presented. (JN)

Compares linear-nonlinear and planar-nonplanar geometry through the valence-shell electron pairs repulsion (V.S.E.P.R.), Mulliken-Walsh, and electrostatic force theories. Indicates that although the V.S.E.P.R. theory has more advantages for elementary courses, an explanation of the best features of the different theories offers students a better…

Assigning "R" or "S" descriptors to chiral centers by inspection of a stereoformula often results in mistakes, especially when three-dimensional representations (with solid and dashed bonds for substituents pointing to front or rear) are used. Therefore, a method is presented that can be applied to all three-dimensional…

After noting the grounds for labelling structures as incorrect, the guidelines for selecting which Lewis structures are most important for a molecule are introduced. Several examples of appropriate Lewis structures and the fine structural predictions that are possible are included. (JN)

Discusses various ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA)-type chelating agents found in ophthalmic products, personal care products, and disinfectants. Also discusses the properties and action of these EDTA agents. (JN)

Describes a laboratory activity in which polystyrene spheres in two preassembled motifs must be arranged to form a tetrahedral structure. (MLH)

Describes the use of balloon models to illustrate chemical bonding in atoms. (BR)

Examines the phenomenon of water drops that float on water at room temperature. Describes experiments that have been done to study this phenomenon. (MA)

This is part two in a series on classroom demonstrations of polymer principles. Described is how large molecules can be assembled from subunits (the process of polymerization). Examples chosen include both linear and branched or cross-linked molecules. (RH)

Discusses how a metal ion is bound to a particular enzyme, focusing the blue copper centers found in a variety of organisms. Coordination geometry of the blue copper site, donor set, direct structural studies, and single-crystal spectroscopy are the major topic headings. (JN)

Compares the coulumbic point charge model for hydrogen chloride with the valence bond model. It is not possible to assign either a nonpolar or ionic canonical form of the valence bond model, while the covalent-ionic bond distribution does conform to the point charge model. (JM)

Shows that electronic structure diagrams make more accurate predictions of spectral properties and chemical reactivity for simple pi systems than do either Huckel molecular orbital or valence bond theory alone. Topics addressed include absorption and photoelectron spectra, spin density distribution in radicals, and several problems regarding…

Describes a bonding theory which provides a framework for the description of a wide range of substances and provides quantitative information of remarkable accuracy with far less computational effort than that required of other approaches. Includes applications, such as calculation of bond energies of two binary hydrides (methane and diborane).…