Molecular models are common aids used by students to help understand connectivity and Euclidean geometry in Organic Chemistry. However, the traditional ball-and-stick models do not explicitly show atomic size or distances - which are essential for understanding steric effects. The space-filling atomic models of Corey-Pauling-Koltun enabled the construction of most molecules with precise dimensional and steric accuracy. Fused Deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers are cheap and readily accessible for students and instructors to cheaply and easily print molecular models from crystallographic and computational data. However, most 3D printed molecules are bespoke, rigid and do not move or rotate. Furthermore, most printers only print a single color of filament which makes, for the untrained student, distinguishing the atomic or molecular identity difficult without labels or color coding. Here, we present an updated 3D printed version of the classic CPK space-filling model set. These low-cost, accurate atomic models can be printed out on any FDM 3D printer at large scale (1 in = 1 Å) for the construction of most small-molecule organic molecules.

CPK3D: 3D printed space-filling model sets

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.