explore the notion of disinterested contemplation for the chemist and art critic.

Does the utility of a compound or art work affect the pleasure we take from it?
should it? what is the role of background knowledge in science and art. 2 ex
what idea of beauty does Hoffmann have? does it agree with traditional accounts
(natural versus articifial, symmetry, complexity, static vs dynamic etc)? how does
the beauty of an object generally relate to its simplicity, unity, epistemic value?
They are subfield org chem, phy chem dependent, like dialects, rituals, costumes
of tribal groups
aesthetic judgments made by chemists about chemistry are perhaps more
cognitively informed than aesthetic judgments in the arts which ensures that those
judgments are jargon laden
geometry simple or it can be exquisitely intricate
simple, symmetrical and devilishly hard to make
3d molecular models or 2 d portrayals are abstractions of reality, no unique
privileged model of a molecule, infinite variety of representations, each constructed
to capture some aspect of the essence fo the molecule 7a and 7b
departure from ideality? symmetrical asymmetry as one of those complexities that
makes life interesting
they kink in a less straightforward but still symmetrical way. one gets the feeling
that nature is insubordinate what really is going on is that we, in the weakness of
our minds, fix on the first, most symmetrical suggestion of how things might be.
which is at once symmetrical and unsymmetrical in which the beauty of this
aesthetic object resides , beauty is in the incredible interplay of dimensionality
selfassembles in small black srystals, an aesthetic testimonial to the natural forces
that shape the molecule and to the beauty of the human mind and hands that
unnaturally brought this structure to being
there are no ugly molecules, purpose in life is not clear
frog that is a prince, beautiful, chemistry is molecules and it is chemical change the transformations
of molecules. Beauty or elegance may reside, static, in the very structure or it may be found in the
process of moving from where one was to where one wants to be. Historicity and intent have
incredible transforming power; this molecule is beautiful because it is a waypoint or intermediate
catenane no reason, best: none was made before
making: doing chemistry on a molecule: transformations of functional groups and particularly the
predictability of their reactions are crucial element in the conceptual design of synthesis in organic
chemistry

synthesis is architecture*
15 intermediate for cantenene
although 20 is sweet, it should be clear that what is important is getting to the process
any step in a linear chain of transformation a b c d e could claim primacy of significance
middle: most complicated relative to the starting and the goal, molecule most disguised, yet the one
bearing in it, obvious to its conceiver but to few other, the surprise, the essence of what is to come
purposive intent in abundance in 15, but it is powered by purpose, the catenane
Kant: object that is of utility whose valuation is not sensually immediate but requires cognitive
action, cannot quality as being beautiful. impoverishing restriction on our aesthetic judgement
knowledge of origins, causes, ulity, relations (iconography) enhances pleasure. not just to science,
poem
complexity poses problems in any aesthetic arts, music, chemistry
complex and simple coexist and reinforce each other, Greek temple sculptural set off
science: complexity is central, richness, the realm of the possible
chemistry: science of molecules and transformations, infinite variety of molecules that may be built
from them
hemoglobin a and b change twice in the course of fetal development, optimize oxygen uptake, bring
oxygen from lungs to cells
side chains are not adornment, they make for function
globular tumble of helical sections nothing simple but functionally significant emerges
-

hold, change

folding purpose in the structure and function

nature is a tinkerer chance variation
structures: imperfect representations, ideograms
classical beauty: real objects are an approximation to that form, art to Greeks are mere imitation
or a search for the essential core
archetype simple parent molecule
epitome or essence typical, feautures of a class to a high degree
-

one of the determinants of beauty in chemistry

26: several disjoint examples ot one
more than the sum of its parts, concentration it enhances our aesthetic response

strong intrusion of cognitive into judgments of the beauty of the molecules

-

beauty is dependent
novelty links interesting and beautiful
o 4 C bonds excess, surpricse, interesting and lovely

molecules beaty:
-

quantized motions they undergo

miracles: penicillin or morphine
production

object including utilitarian perspective as an aesthetic criterioin

chemists: use is an element, not the most important one but an element of chemical beauty
aesthetic response entails importantly a degree of detachment on the part of the viewer or listener
and the elements of intensity (26), unity and complexity in the object
strcutures cannot be viewed as beautiful except in the context of knowledge of other molecules
aesthetic strength of simplicity parent molecule, symmetrical molecule, reactions, simple
mechanism, math eqn,
science and art as cognitive processes, differ only in intensity of elaboration or manipulation of
symbols
we feel that these molecules are beautiful that they express essences, knowing, seeing relationships
describe beauty not just say it

There are many examples on this paper entitled Molecular Beauty to back his
statement up. An example of a beautiful molecule that does not have any known use to
humanity is catenane and its aesthetic value can be seen in its molecular structure alone. On
the other hand, compound number 15 is considered as a beautiful molecule although it does not
have the same strikingly beautiful molecular structure like cantenane. It is because its beauty is
disguised and seen in its use as an intermediate into producing catenane and in its process in
getting to the desired product. Without this, catenane would not even exist at all.
As a Biochemistry student, I can easily understand what Hoffmann is trying to say since I
have experiences regarding this in class. There are many complicated mechanisms and
molecules that we have to understand and memorize especially in Organic Chemistry. Instead
of hating cursing the scientists who have discovered these crazy reactions, I came to see their
beauty even more because of their use in real life.