Upgrade of a 400-MHz NMR Spectrometer Vital for Chemistry Research and Education

Colby College, Waterville ME

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Colby College will upgrade a 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer. This equipment will enable researchers to carry out studies on a) the isolation and identification of natural products; b) synthesis and reactivity of carbenes; c) antitumor agent development; d) nucleic acid and peptide structure/function relationships; and e) organometallic synthesis. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, to characterize specific arrangements of atoms within molecules, and to study the dynamics of interactions between molecules in solution. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometry is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies will have an impact in a number of areas including drug development and biochemistry.