MRI: Acquisition of an NMR Spectrometer to Support Undergraduate Research and Curriculum Reform

Ithaca College, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Ithaca College will acquire a 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Spectrometer. This equipment will enable researchers to carry out studies on a) the synthesis and characterization of stable, electron-deficient divalent silicon species; b) kinetic and mechanistic studies of proton transfer between oxygen and carbon; c) antibacterial drug discovery; d) development of Ruthenium-based olefin polymerization/small molecule activation catalysts; and e) the synthesis of dendrimers used in tissue engineering studies. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools 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 medicinal chemistry, biotechnology and polymer synthesis.