Nanodroplet encapsulation technique crystallises the ‘uncrystallisable’

One of the most frustrating problems face by synthetic chemists – crystallising a sample – could be solved by a new process that uses a robot that can create hundreds of tiny crystallisation experiments. The technique maximises the chances of crystals forming, while using minimal quantities of material. Its developers have already used it to grow crystalline samples of a compound previously considered ‘uncrystallisable’.

When a new material is produced in crystalline form, its structure can be probed by x-ray crystallography – one of the most powerful tools for compound characterisation. But growing crystals can be difficult. It usually involves a trial-and-error approach of slowly drying solvated samples under different conditions, in the hope that crystals might form. Setting up the experiments takes time and often uses up a lot of material – of which there may be a limited supply.