Purchase of NMR Spectrometer for the Agricultural Experiment Station

University Of California-Riverside, Riverside CA

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the University of California in Riverside will acquire a 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer. This equipment will enable researchers to carry out studies on a) the synthesis, isolation and structure determination of biologically active molecules; b) synthesis and identification of chemicals used for intra- and interspecific communication, c) regulation of intermediary metabolism in invertebrate animals, especially insects; d) identification of the products of the atmospherically important reactions of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic compounds; and e) the investigation of the gas-phase atmospheric reactions of polycyclic aromatic compounds. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available 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 biochemistry and environmental chemistry.