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Computational Chemistry:
* Rapidly growing field of science in which computer hardware and software are used to simulate a chemical process or to compute a chemical property.
* Makes use of the affordable technology to better understand the chemistry of a particular problem.
Theory <--> Experiment
* Exploring the unknown
One of the strengths of the computer is that it allows us to address important chemical concepts that are otherwise left untouched. Computational theoretical chemistry has become an equal partner with experimental chemistry in elucidating properties of molecules.
Example:
For some molecules such as the transient species that occur in combustion, or interstellar space, or as proposed reaction intermediates, frequently the only available data is obtained from theoretical calculations. An example of this type is ;the N3H3 moelcule, which, though isoelectronic with ozone (O3), cyclopropane, and cyclopropene, is totally unknown. Can it exist? Theory can tell us and provide the fingerprints to detect it.
* Complications of Experimental Procedures
In other cases, experimental data might exist, but the experiments might be very difficult to interpret without the benefit of coordinate thoeretical predictions. An example might be the cytosine molecule or other bases in DNA. Even something as simple as the IR spectrum is essentially uninterpretable, as its spectra is likely to be contaminated by energetically equivalent tautormers that occur easily and are important in the theory of point mutations. Consequently, by predicting its spectra and that of the tautomers with a reliable quantum mechanical method, we can interpret the spectra and use it to fingerprint the occurrence of point mutations.
* Economic Benefit
A great potential economic benefit occurs in areas like drug design. For drugs to be approved by the FDA, they must pass extensive anaimal tests to assess any potentially dangerous side effects. Yet, subjecting a drug to such tests is expensive. Hence, if a theoretical tool exists to screen out about ~1000 possibilities the ~20 or so with the best prospects for success, the cost for producing the drug can be reduced by a factor of ~50.
These are just a few examples where we use theoretical chemistry to our advantage. There are multiple examples where this computation chemistry/experimental chemistry partnership shows its usefullness. We should keep these and other examples in our mind as we go through this course.
Focus: What we can understand by making use of a model. Consequently, we must focus on the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical models that might be applied to a given problem. We must present both the mathematical model and the use of the computer to implement that model.
Goal: Our goal is to provide one more tool, along with the various synthetic and analytical tools the chemist has, to gain additional insight into a particular chemical event or to predict new chemical events. These chemical events can range from synthesis of new molecules, to reaction of molecules, to interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, to dynamic motion of molecules.
Goal: Model should be useful as an additional tool along with various
synthetic and analytical tools, to gain insight into a particular chemical
event, or, to predict new chemical events.
'Molecular Modeling'
The computer can mimic what chemists have done mentally, modeling and manipulating images. This was recognized early by most chemists, and computer modeling has rapidly become an indispensable tool of chemistry as a discipline. The organic chemist can come to appreciate the relationship between the 3-D aspect of chemistry and the behavior of molecules. We learn that, for a given structure, some physical and chemical properties and behaviors can be predicted, understood, or calculated only if they are conceived and manipulated in 3-D.
Chemistry's most humble model: Hand-held models
'Bonding Models':
Satisfy the following questions to varying degrees:
These strongly pictorial models still play a key role in the development of our more sophisticated models.
Simplified the quantum representation to a rigid lattice of charged mass points which defined the field in which the electrons move. (Mathematical model still so difficult that approximations - also a form of model building - were required.)
Took the individual electrons in the nuclear field as its primary unit and displayed unparalleled power in the description of structure, reactivity and properties of molecular systems.
Modern Mathematical Models
Molecular Feature = f (Molecular Construction)
f = Model
Molecular Feature: