title: The structure lacuna.
abstract: Molecular symmetry is intimately connected with the classical concept of three-dimensional molecular structure. In a non-classical theory of wave-like interaction in four-dimensional space-time, both of these concepts and traditional quantum mechanics lose their operational meaning, unless suitably modified. A required reformulation should emphasize the importance of four-dimensional effects like spin and the symmetry effects of space-time curvature that could lead to a fundamentally different understanding of molecular symmetry and structure in terms of elementary number theory. Isolated single molecules have no characteristic shape and macro-biomolecules only develop robust three-dimensional structure in hydrophobic response to aqueous cellular media.
authors.affiliation: Unit for Advanced Scholarship, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jan C A
authors.initials: JCA
authors.lastname: Boeyens
authors.affiliation: Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg 0001, South Africa.
authors.forename: Demetrius C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Levendis
mesh_terms: D008962:Models, Theoretical