Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffractometer (SC-XRD)

• Subject Area: Molecular Chemistry
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 518863270

The elucidation of molecular structures in the solid state by X-Ray diffraction is the gold standard for characterizing newly-synthesized compounds. Thus, this method belongs to the routine-equipment of chemical institutes since the 1980s. Also adjacent fields increasingly use these methods. At Saarland University, the powder- and single-crystal X-Ray diffraction instruments are operated and heavily used by the inorganic chemistry groups. Further, their use is provided also to all other chemical subdisciplines (organic and physical chemistry) as service, which is also the case for other institutes (pharmacy, material sciences). Herewith, we apply for the replacement for an aged single-crystal X-Ray diffractometer brought into service in 2004. It is approaching the end of its lifetime, as the supplier does not guarantee anymore spare parts and repairs since 1/2021. The instrument to be replaced is prone to breakdown for a couple of years now, which significantly slows scientific progress (mostly, yet not exclusively of the inorganic chemical institutes) and generates high financial expenditures. As such, it also binds all the time of the instrument’s responsibles. This replacement will allow the chemical sciences as well as adjacent disciplines at Saarland University to have access to an adequate and timely equipment also in the future.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Einkristalldiffraktometer
• Instrumentation Group: 4010 Einkristall-Diffraktometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität des Saarlandes
• Leader: Professor Dr. Dominik Munz