Asking questions about structure

The purpose of this book is to lay the foundations for understanding the principles behind these techniques and how to apply them. But before we can make a start, we have to ask what is structure  

The questions we might try to ask depend on the system we are studying, upon the progress of separation and isolation, and on the level of detail we need to know about the product. If we are dealing with reactions that lead to products that have not been made before, we need to ask a series of questions, in order of increasing subtlety. To start with, we need to ask  

Does the material consist of or contain any known compoimd that we can identify  

Once we have isolated a single compound we can then ask more questions, such as  

How are the functional groups or the atoms linked together, i.e. what is the pattern of connectivity  

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The distinction between these two kinds of observers is important in considering the transition period between two d-SoCs. if we ask questions about what phenomena are experienced during the transition period, we must ask who is going to make these experiential observations for us. Since the ordinary observer is the structure, then the radical destructuring necessary for transition into a d-ASC eliminates the ability to observe. At worst, if there is total destructuring we can expect no direct experiential observation of the transitional period, perhaps only a feeling of blankness. Such blackouts are often reported. 

In an effort to compare descriptor distributions between compounds from different sources and synthetic paradigms, Feher and Schmidt [121] used PCA-based methods to compare property distributions from natural products, drugs, and combinatorial libraries. In this case, the authors used chemical space as a common framework to ask questions about the how the origins of compounds are manifest in their structural features at a global level. In particular, this study demonstrates the general dominance of synthetic efficiency, rather than structural diversity, in the preparation of compounds by combinatorial chemistry. The descriptors most able to distinguish natural products from those synthetic molecules studied were those that rendered the latter class easier to make, such as fewer... 

Two examples of how these constructs are applied together will demonstrate their utility and flexibility. A number of reactions, such as Michael addition depend on the conformation of the intermediate enolate for their specificity. It is possible to make initial queries about the structure, generate the enolate, ask about it, then generate the final precursor and ask questions about it. At each stage of this process, it is possible to detect a fatal condition and terminate evaluation of the transform. 

As in any reexamination of the field, chemists and chemical engineers should ask serious questions about current practices. Does the divisional structure in academic chemistry departments discourage multi-investigator research, or encourage artificial distinctions Are the traditional divisions still the best structure... 

The what-if analysis is a creative, brainstorming examination of a process or operation conducted by a group of experienced individuals able to ask questions or voice concerns about undesired events. It is not as inherently structured as some other methods, such as the hazard and operability (HAZOP) study or a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). 

This problem shows a fairly complex structure, but asks relatively simple questions about it. It is important not to be discouraged by the structure simply apply standard procedures and reasoning. 

The above examples illustrate how NMR spectra are routinely used to answer questions about reactions and products. Spectra are usually examined in conjunction with other information that permits a broad-based structure identification to be earned out. Outside of structure questions in texts and on exams, one is almost never handed an NMR spectrum and asked to identify die compound in die absence of odier supporting information. 

I received an email this morning from a client who has been asked to provide information on potential takeover targets for his company and he asked me how they might go about such a transaction. Their target price was in the range of 50-100 million. While this is not be an unusual request for an adviser in M A to receive, when it is put to someone in business development a series of questions about just why and how the company has made this decision is raised. In order to understand the background to such a request the structures, processes and practices of business development in different company situations needs some examination. 

Decision-makers and stakeholders typically ask a variety of questions about exposure. These questions motivate both the structure of the exposure assessment and the need for uncertainty analysis in that assessment. They include the following ... 

Synthesis research has caused a number of people to organize their approach to process design. People now ask the right question about design even if the answers as yet are lacking. How does one locate the best structure for a process How does one teach another person to do synthesis ... 

We also totally lack a leadership role in the proper places, such as Washington. Why does the FDA ask us questions about the process They don t know what the three-dimensional structure is. The covalent structure is easier to define, the secondary and tertiary structures are more difficult. The only way they can be sure of what s happening is to make certain our processes are identical, because all else is unknown. Why are the biologists doing everything Because they have a presence there. We have to make our own destiny. One example is involvement with clinical trials. We need to do more, because we can do things in a quantitative way. 

We infer (from outside) the existence of a particular structure by observing that a certain kind of input information reliably results in specific transformed output information under typical conditions. For example, we ask someone, "How much is fourteen divided by seven " and he answers, "Two." After repeating this process, with variations, we infer the existence of a special structure or related set of structures we can call arithmetical skills. Experientially, we infer (from inside) the existence of a particular structure when, given certain classes experienced input information, we experience certain transformed classes of output/response information. Thus, when I overhear the question about fourteen divided by seven and observe that some part of me automatically responds with the correct answer, I infer an arithmetical skills structure as part of my own mind. 

If hints 1-8 do not suggest answers to questions about a structure determination, ask the author for clarification. 

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