As we learn about how atoms are put together to form functional structures like the molecules of life, it is often useful to be able to visualize the 3-dimensional structure of the structures. Often, chemists will use physical models with colored balls representing atoms and sticks representing the bonds (pairs of electrons) that hold them together. Below we've provided some "virtual" models of this type. You can grab and manipulate the molecules below to rotate them and help you visualize how they are put together. Feel free to explore the various molecules using the interface below.
Molecule:
171d
1a3n
1bna
1HHO
6GPB
a linolenic omega 3
aa new
aa
aa
aa2
acetaminophen NIST
acetic acid
acetylene
adenine
adenosine
adp
Al
ALANINE
alanine
alpha keratin gcn4
ammonium ion
amylose chains
amylose
anatase
arachidate
arachidic acid deluxe
arachidic acid
arachidonic acid
arachidonic acid
arachidonicacid
ascorbic acid
aspirin DCU
aspirin
aspirin
AT base pair
ATP
bdna
benzene
benzoic acid
beta farnesene
bf3
bio1hemoglobind co
buckytube
butan1ol
butan2ol
butanal
butane a
butene 2cis
butene 2trans
butyric acid
c2h4
c60
caffeine
cellulose
cholesterol
cholesterol2
cisplatin
cisret
co2
colgn1
collagen 1cdg 1
collagen from nih
collagen ribbon
Cryst diamond
Cryst graphite
cytosine
dha
diamond
diamond2
dlpe
dna
docosane
eicosane
elaidic acid
epa
ethane
ethene
ethene
ethndiol
ethylene
ethyne
Fig 24 14 single group
Fig 24 15 sheet noAL
Fig 24 15 silicate Double Chain
Fig 24 15 single chain
Fig 24 16 Musco 2M1
Fig 24 17 Tremolite
formic acid
Forsterite pink Mg
Forsterite pink Mg
Forsterite
fructose
gammalinolenic omega6
glucose
glycerol
glycine
graphite
graphite2
guanine
heptane
hexane
hexanol
hg1hda globular hemo
hydrogen peroxide
ibuprofen NIST
ibuprofen r
ibuprofen
inosine
insulin 566insulinab
kaolinite
lauricac
linoleic acid with h
linoleic acid
linolenic acid deluxe
linolenic acid
LNL
LNL
lys1hew
lysine
mbhelix2 from kansas UMC tutorial
methane
methanol
nacl
naproxen NIST
naproxen r backup
naproxen r
octane
odd ethene
oleic acid
OlivineForsterite
p
PABA
palmitic acid
palmitic acid
palmitoleic acid
pdb6gpb
phenylalanine
phosphate ion
polystyrene
propanal
propane old
propane
propane
propanoic acid DCU
propanoic acid
propene
propn1ol
propn2ol
propnone
propylene
pyrene
quartz
RIBOSE
rutile
S
salicylic acid
serine
sf6
SilicaTetra
silk fiber fibroin 1slk
silk2
stearate
stearic acid
stearic acid
Study guide Montmorillonite
Study guide pyrophyllite
sucrose
taxol
theobromine
thymine
TNT
transret
tricosane
triglyceride
tristearin
TRYPTPHN
uracil
water
Display:
Ball and Stick Wire Frame Space Fill Transparent Tetrahedra Solid Tetrahedra
Rotate:
Legend of Atom Colors
H
He
Li
Be
B
C
N
O
F
Ne
Na
Mg
Al
Si
P
S
Cl
Ar
K
Ca
Sc
Ti
V
Cr
Mn
Fe
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
Ga
Ge
As
Se
Br
Kr
Rb
Sr
Y
Zr
Nb
Mo
Tc
Ru
Rh
Pd
Ag
Cd
In
Sn
Sb
Te
I
Xe
Cs
Ba
L*
Hf
Ta
W
Re
Os
Ir
Pt
Au
Hg
Tl
Pb
Bi
Po
At
Rn
Fr
Ra
A*
Rf
Db
Sg
Bh
Hs
Mt
(L:)
La
Ce
Pr
Nd
Pm
Sm
Eu
Gd
Tb
Dy
Ho
Er
Tm
Yb
Lu
(A:)
Ac
Th
Pa
U
Np
Pu
Am
Cm
Bk
Cf
Es
Fm
Md
No
Lr