Molecules are groups of atoms bonded together, ranging between the small, such as molecular hydrogen with just two atoms, or the massive, such as DNA containing billions of atoms! Chemistry modelling sets can help us visualize molecules in meaningful ways.
This kit is designed with 3D printing in mind and to be displayed on a flat surface, much like we draw molecules on paper. By inserting small magnets, you can also attach your models to a fridge or any other magnetic surface.
With just a few dozen atoms pieces, the number of unique molecules you can make is simply staggering, totalling in the millions.
The shape or geometry of the molecule also depends on the hybridization of the atoms within it. For example, carbon with sp3 hybridization (as in methane) can have bonds to 4 neighbouring atoms while carbon with sp2 hybridization (as in benzene) can only have 3. As the angles between these bonds are different, be sure to have the right atom types for the molecule you are making. (More about that in the general notes below). Please note, as this modeling set is restricted in 2D, the bond angles are not necessarily accurate in their 3D sense.
As for the atom types we have (so far!):
Hydrogen:
H_2D
Carbon:Csp3_square_2D: sp3 carbon than can make 4 bonds in square geometry.
Csp3_methyl_2D: sp3 carbon distorted for modelling methyl side-chains.
Cps2_2D: sp2 carbon that can make 3 bonds, found in benzene and alkenes.
Cps2_BC_L_2D: special bicyclic sp2 carbon that can make 3 bonds, found in the intersection of six and five membered rings as found in caffeine. (Left orientation)
Cps2_BC_R_2D: special bicyclic sp2 carbon that can make 3 bonds, found in the intersection of six and five membered rings as found in caffeine. (Right orientation)
Csp2_5C_2D: sp2 cyclic carbon found in 5-membered rings such as furan.
Csp_2D: sp carbon that can make 2 bonds as found in carbon dioxide and alkynes.
Nitrogen:Nsp2_2D: sp2 nitrogen that make 3 bonds (can also be used for sp3 N in ammonia)
Nsp2_pyridine_2D: sp2 nitrogen found in pyridine.
Nsp2_5C_imidazole_2D: sp2 nitrogen in imidazole with lone pair.
Nsp2_5C_2D: sp2 nitrogen in imidazole with hydrogen bonded.
Nsp_2D: sp nitrogen as in atmospheric N2.
Oxygen:Osp3_2D: sp3 oxygen found in hydroxyl groups and water. (can also be used for furan)
Osp2_2D: sp2 oxygen used for carbonyl groups and molecular oxygen.
Also included a plus and arrows for depicting chemical equations.
Recommended atom colours
For the atom colours, I generally recommend following the guidelines set by
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPK_coloring
ie) hydrogen (white), carbon (black or dark gray), nitrogen(blue), oxygen(red), sulphur(yellow).
General notes
Atoms should simply snap together by pushing them together at their bond interface. They also easily come apart by bending them. If you want to turn your model into into a fridge magnet set, read the post-printing section below.
As this modelling set is a 2-dimensional representation of molecules, many complicated 3-dimensional molecules can not be easily represented.
Important notes for making cyclic structures!
There are subtle bond angle differences in the atom types. Make sure that when making a ring structure that the inner-symbols on the flat surface side match. For hexagonal rings, make sure the inner angles have an "X" symbol. For 5 membered rings, there should be a "P" symbol. Making a purine molecule (which has a joined six and five membered rings) can be tricky as it requires the special "Cps2_BC_L" and "Cps2_BC_R" carbons at the junction of the rings. Make sure the "X"s are towards the center of hexagonal ring, and the "P"s towards the center of the pentagonal ring.
mkuiper
