Correcting resolution bias in electron density maps of organic molecules derived by direct methods from powder data

Fourier syntheses providing electron density maps are usually affected by truncation effects due to the limited data resolution. A recent theoretical approach [Altomare, Cuocci, Giacovazzo, Kamel, Moliterni & Rizzi (2008). Acta Cryst. A64, 326-336] suggests that the resolution bias may be reduced by correcting the current electron density maps in accordance with the physics of the diffraction experiment. We have implemented the approach in EXPO2004 [Altomare, Caliandro, Camalli, Cuocci, Giacovazzo, Moliterni & Rizzi (2004). J. Appl. Cryst. 37, 1025-1028], a program devoted to the solution of crystal structures from powder data. The new algorithm was applied at the end of the direct methods modulus, to verify if the reduction of the resolution bias is able to improve the electron density maps and to provide additional power to direct methods. Application of this method to a large set of test structures indicates that resolution-bias correction often makes the difference between success and failure, and thus constitutes a new tool for reducing the dependence of modern crystallography on resolution effects. The chances of failure are expected to depend on the quality of the experimental data (e.g. the accuracy of the full-pattern decomposition procedure and the data resolution), on the size of the structure and on its chemical composition.