Molecular structure and noncovalent interactions

Structure determines function

Molecular physics deals with molecules and aggregates. Understanding molecules requires a detailed description of their electronic distribution, vibrational properties and structure, usually demanding multiple pieces of information, both experimental and theoretical. Molecules interact and react, so we need to know not only the intramolecular factors defining the structure, but also which are the most important intermolecular forces controlling aggregation properties.

The picture shows the solvation of sparteine by a single water molecule, using a O-H···N hydrogen bond.