New models of old molecules. Their construction and use in chemical education

Abstract

Molecular models which reflect recent knowledge of all the known types of symmetry in molecular configuraatomic structure and provide a versatility not found in tion.older models have been constructed.Various uses of these models for instruction and study Each atom (except hydrogen) is represented by a cube in the several fields of chemistry are suggested, and it is with truncated corners, making a fourteen-sided figure indicated that a study of the models themselves may in with eight faces of equilateral triangles and six faces of certain cases aid in resolving questions of molecular strucsquares. This permits the construction of models having ture and properties.

A Collaborative Model-Based Symmetry Activity for the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory

“…Concrete model kits enjoy widespread use in general, − organic, , and inorganic ,− chemistry classrooms. We use the term “concrete model” to refer to “physical 3D models that represent the 3D spatial relations between atoms in a molecule.” In this case, we used Duluth Laboratories’ MM-007 molecular model set in both iterations of this activity.…”

“…The activity encouraged students, via written and verbal instruction, to work with their peers, as they typically do in other experiments. Concrete model kits enjoy widespread use in general, 9−11 organic, 12,13 and inorganic 4,14−18 chemistry classrooms. We use the term "concrete model" to refer to "physical 3D models that represent the 3D spatial relations between atoms in a molecule."…”

Modeling of Nanomolecular and Reticular Architectures with 6-fold Grooved, Programmable Interlocking Disks

“…Constructions of SBUs based on a central ILD 6 that directly connects between two and six ILD 6 can adopt many configuration modes. Among these, the linear ILD 6 -(1,4) and the trigonal-binding ILD 6 - (1,3,5) reminiscent of bond and sp 2 hybridized carbon centers respectively are the most important (Figure 1b).…”

“…This motivates the search for universal interlocking building blocks that are light, scalable, inexpensive, and globally accessible. Attempts in this direction had started already in the 1930s, when Hazlehurst and Neville proposed the use of single-type polyhedral ball-like connectors that could interlock with multiple sticks, representing atoms and bonds, respectively . These types of models were shortly abandoned, but the interest in them reemerged in the 1970s because of the teaching demands of structural inorganic chemistry. , The concept of using single-type polyhedral connectors with multiple interlocking sites was beautifully exemplified by the development of the so-called “zometools”. , This latter methodology can easily be used in the design of robust complex polyhedral and reticular architectures; however, high retail costs and trade embargos limit the application of this technique around the globe.…”

“…Attempts in this direction had started already in the 1930s, when Hazlehurst and Neville proposed the use of single-type polyhedral ball-like connectors that could interlock with multiple sticks, representing atoms and bonds, respectively. 5 These types of models were shortly abandoned, but the interest in them reemerged in the 1970s because of the teaching demands of structural inorganic chemistry. 6,7 The concept of using single-type polyhedral connectors with multiple interlocking sites was beautifully exemplified by the development of the so-called "zometools".…”