Louis J. Todaro, Ph.D., Facility Director

Hunter College of the City University of New York
Department of Chemistry
695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Tel (212) 772-4992 | Fax (212) 772-5332
E-mail: Louis.Todaro@hunter.cuny.edu

Mission

The mission of the CUNY X-ray Facility is to perform single-crystal analyses for the structure determination of molecules, which make up a crystal. This technique is called single-crystal X-ray crystallography. It is the ultimate method for definitive determination of molecular structures at the atomic level for both organic and inorganic compounds. Its uses range from simple identification of compounds to various exotic configuration and conformational studies.

Instrumentation

Bruker-Nonius KappaCCD System

Bruker-Nonius KappaCCD, equipped with a CCD detector and a liquid-nitrogen low-temperature device, on a Bruker-Nonius FR590 X-ray generator with a molybdenum sealed tube. Capabilities: The KappaCCD, acquired in 2001, embodies the state-of-the-art technologies for rapid, precise, and accurate data collection even with small crystals. A charge-coupled device (CCD) detector allows many diffraction spots to be collected simultaneously. Molybdenum radiation with a wavelength of 0.7093 Å is energetic and better suited for inorganic compounds containing heavy atoms, such as, technetium and rhenium, to minimize absorption-correction errors.

Fees

The basic fee for an ordinary single-crystal X-ray analysis without complications is $600. Extras, such as absorption correction, repeated data collections for poorly diffracting crystals, multiple independent molecules, resolution of disorder in a structure, etc., must be taken into consideration in calculating a reasonable fee. These fees are used to purchase parts and supplies for optimal maintenance of the X-ray facility.