Thursday, December 6, 2012

Beaded Molecules: Menthol CRSAW

This beaded bead represents a single molecule of menthol with 31 atoms: 10 carbon, 20 hydrogen, and one oxygen. Each atom is represented by a single beaded cube made with cubic super right angle weave. The bead work is gray, black, white and red, just like standard molecular molecules, and exhibits tetrahedral bonding.

Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained plants such as peppermint. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. Menthol's ability to chemically trigger the cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin is responsible for the well-known cooling sensation it provokes when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin.

The bead work is stiff yet flexible, and shows a variety of moods when posed. My favorite part of this molecule is the ring of six carbon molecules (called the cyclohexane conformation) with its 3mm hole visible in the photo below and its "chair formation" visible in the first photo.
This model has many other holes as big as 2mm to string it. It's hard to measure how big it is precisely, but it's longest measurement is about 2 1/4 inches (55 mm).  Here it is sitting on a quarter dollar.  It's for sale.  Click the photos.  Thanks.

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