Circular dichroism meaning

Circular dichroism is a spectroscopic technique that measures the difference in the absorption of left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized light by a chiral molecule.


Circular dichroism definitions

Word backwards ralucric msiorhcid
Part of speech The part of speech of "circular dichroism" is a noun.
Syllabic division cir-cu-lar di-chro-ism
Plural The plural of the word circular dichroism is circular dichroisms.
Total letters 17
Vogais (4) i,u,a,o
Consonants (7) c,r,l,d,h,s,m

Circular dichroism is a powerful analytical tool used in chemistry and biochemistry to study the structural characteristics of molecules, particularly chiral molecules. This technique relies on the differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized light by chiral molecules.

Principles of Circular Dichroism

When circularly polarized light interacts with a chiral molecule, the absorption of light differs between left and right circular polarization. This difference in absorption leads to the phenomenon known as circular dichroism. By measuring the degree of this differential absorption as a function of wavelength, valuable information about the structural properties of molecules can be obtained.

Applications of Circular Dichroism

Circular dichroism spectroscopy is widely used in various fields such as structural biology, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. In structural biology, it is employed to study the secondary structure of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. In the pharmaceutical industry, circular dichroism is used for analyzing the conformational changes in drug molecules. Additionally, this technique is useful in characterizing the structure of synthetic polymers and other materials.

Instrumentation for Circular Dichroism

To perform circular dichroism measurements, specialized instruments called circular dichroism spectrometers are used. These instruments generate circularly polarized light, pass it through the sample containing the chiral molecules, and measure the differential absorption of the two circular polarizations. Modern spectrometers offer high sensitivity and accuracy, allowing for detailed analysis of molecular structures.

Overall, circular dichroism is a versatile and valuable technique for studying the structural properties of chiral molecules in various disciplines. Its applications range from fundamental research in chemistry to practical applications in drug development and materials science. By providing unique insights into molecular structures, circular dichroism spectroscopy plays a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation.


Circular dichroism Examples

  1. Circular dichroism spectroscopy is commonly used to study the secondary structure of proteins.
  2. Researchers utilize circular dichroism to analyze the chirality of molecules.
  3. Circular dichroism measurements can provide information about the electronic transitions in a molecule.
  4. Circular dichroism is a valuable tool in the study of drug interactions with biomolecules.
  5. Scientists use circular dichroism to investigate the folding and unfolding of proteins.
  6. Circular dichroism has applications in determining the stability of nucleic acids.
  7. Circular dichroism analysis is essential for studying conformational changes in biomacromolecules.
  8. Circular dichroism can be used to characterize the structure of nanoparticles.
  9. Circular dichroism spectroscopy is helpful in identifying enantiomers in pharmaceuticals.
  10. Researchers rely on circular dichroism to investigate the interactions between proteins and ligands.


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  • Updated 18/05/2024 - 22:07:06