MRI: Acquisition of High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Instrumentation for Research on Nanochemistry

University Of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of California in Los Angeles will acquire a 600 MHz NMR Spectrometer. This equipment will enable researchers to carry out studies on a) oligosaccharide-based glycodendrimers; b) synthesis of specific molecular probes; c) complex natural products and analogues; d) modular synthesis and polyhedral surface modification of carboranes; e) endohedral metal complexes of fullerenes; and f) interlocked molecules in electronic devices. 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 spectrometers 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, in particular nanochemistry.