MRI: Acquisition of a 400 MHz NMR Spectrometer to Enhance Undergraduate Research and Research Training at Willamette University

Willamette University, Salem OR

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program (MRI), Andrew Duncan and colleagues Sarah Kirk and Joseph Williamson from Willamette University will acquire a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The proposed research spans the disciplines of organic, bioorganic, physical, and organometallic chemistry. Some examples are the synthesis and characterization of neomycin/amino acid and tetracaine/cGMP conjugates and studies of the mechanism of ene-allene ring closing metathesis reactions. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 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 synthetic organic/inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. This award will also contribute to the advancement of women in science.