Diffraction Data Analysis Using Porous Crystal Frameworks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for analyzing diffraction data in single crystal structure analysis are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly for researchers without expertise in crystallography, as they require determining appropriate space groups and initial phases.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a crystal structure analysis sample with a single crystal of a porous compound, where the three-dimensional framework is known, and utilizing its space group and diffraction data as initial values to analyze the diffraction data of the compound to be structured, thereby bypassing the need for special crystallographic knowledge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional diffraction data analysis methods are used, then accurate molecular structure determination is achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming due to the need for specialized crystallographic knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolecular structure determination accuracyVSAvoidanalysis process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the space group and initial phase values using the known porous compound crystal structure before analyzing the target compound. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for researchers to perform complex space group determination and initial phase calculation during the actual structure analysis, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The known crystal structure of the porous compound serves as an intermediary that mediates between the diffraction data and the target compound structure. By using this intermediary reference structure, the analysis process is simplified because the intermediary provides pre-established structural parameters that guide the determination of the target compound without requiring direct complex calculations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional diffraction data analysis methods are used, then reliable crystal structure determination is achieved, but significant time is required due to manual determination of space group and initial phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal structure determination reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary determination of space group and initial phase using the known porous compound structure before analyzing the target compound. This preliminary action eliminates time-consuming manual determination steps during actual analysis, reducing analysis time while maintaining reliability through the use of pre-validated structural parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies the space group and structural parameters from the known porous compound crystal structure to serve as initial values for analyzing the target compound. This copying approach significantly reduces analysis time by avoiding redundant determination steps, while reliability is maintained because the copied parameters provide a valid starting point for refinement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated diffraction data analysis is implemented, then analysis efficiency is improved, but the requirement for specialized crystallographic knowledge increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffraction data analysis efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The known porous compound crystal structure acts as an intermediary that simplifies automated analysis by providing pre-determined space group and initial phase values. This intermediary eliminates the need for operators to understand complex crystallographic concepts, making automated analysis both efficient and easy to operate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service analysis by allowing the system to automatically determine structure parameters using the known porous compound reference. The automated process serves itself by internally utilizing the reference structure to guide analysis, improving both efficiency and ease of operation without requiring specialized user knowledge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for more convenient and efficient analysis of diffraction data, enabling researchers to determine molecular structures with reduced complexity and expertise requirements.

Implementation Method 1

X-rays are applied to a single crystal to detect the diffracted X-rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

detect the diffracted X-rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3176568B1Diffraction data analysis method, computer program, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 THE JAPAN SCI & TECH AGENCY
  • EP3176568B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3176568B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3176568B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention is a method for analyzing diffraction data obtained using a crystal structure analysis sample, the sample comprising a single crystal of a porous compound, and a compound for which a structure is to be determined, the single crystal of the porous compound having a three-dimensional framework, and pores and so on that are defined by the three-dimensional framework, and are three-dimensionally arranged in an ordered manner, the three-dimensional framework having been determined by crystal structure analysis, and molecules of the compound for which the structure is to be determined being arranged in the pores in an ordered manner, the method comprising: a step (I) that selects a space group that is identical to a space group of the single crystal of the porous compound, or a space group that has a symmetry lower than that, to be a space group of the crystal structure analysis sample; a step (II) that determines an initial structure of the crystal structure analysis sample using diffraction data with respect to a crystal structure of the single crystal of the porous compound as initial values; and a step (III) that refines the initial structure determined. The present invention is also: a computer program for analyzing diffraction data; and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program. The present invention thus provides a method that efficiently analyzes diffraction data when implementing single crystal structure analysis, a computer program that causes a computer to implement the method, and a computer-readable recording medium.