Drugs are often small organic molecules. These may be derived from fungi and plants or they can be of synthetic origin. The overall stereochemistry of the molecules is always absolutely vital, since molecules with different stereochemistry may have completely different impact on the human body.
Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies are an important tool to determine the structure of potential drugs. It is often used together with NMR spectroscopy and other characterization techniques, which reveal the physical properties of the compound.
The hydrogen atoms are only roughly detected by X-ray diffraction due to their low electron density. Using H-NMR more information about the hydrogen atoms can be obtained which is always important.
Phase transitions of the compound can be detected with DSC.
The two different zeolites models shown illustrate two different types of channel systems.