Solution of heavy atom structures from powder diffraction data using direct methods. A review of structures solved at Aarhus University

Heavy atoms dominate the X-ray scattering from many inorganic compounds like oxides and oxalates, and often only partial structures of these compounds can be obtained by X-ray powder diffraction data. Combining information from X-ray and neutron diffraction data is an advantage. Scattering contributions from the atoms are more evenly distributed in neutron diffraction data than in X-ray diffraction data. Neutron diffraction data can then be used to complete a structure partially solved with data from an X-ray diffraction pattern. Examples of heavy atom structures solved in the time period 1983-2004 using direct methods outlined above are presented. (C) 2004 International Centre for Diffraction Data.