MRI: Acquisition of a Multinuclear Broadband Cryogenically Cooled Probe for NMR Spectroscopy at KU-Lawrence

University Of Kansas Center For Research Inc, Lawrence KS

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) and support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program (CRIF) as well as the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Professor Justin Douglas from the University of Kansas and colleagues Bala Subramaniam, Mikhail Barybin, Jon Tunge and Ryan Altman have acquired a cryogenically-cooled probe for a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR). In general, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools available to chemists for determining 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 or in the solid state. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies have an impact in synthetic organic/inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry and biochemistry. To be able to obtain data NMR spectrometers require a probe where the sample to be analyzed is placed. In a cryogenically cooled probe, a very cold liquid or gas is used to chill the environment. This chilling results in a significant increase in sensitivity and speeds up data collection while using smaller samples. This instrument to be located in a general user facility managed by highly qualified scientists. It is an integral part of research, research training and teaching at the University. The improved research infrastructure further enriches and facilitates the innovative efforts presently underway at this institution to broaden participation in science and engineering, especially by individuals from underrepresented groups (e. g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geography, etc.) through its integration into outreach at the pre-college level. Coursework at the undergraduate and postgraduate level is enriched. Both KU students and students from other colleges and universities participating in undergraduate and graduate research training programs are able to access the new facilities. The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in: (a) exploring strategies for fluorination of common functional groups; (b) preparing azulene-bridged organometallics as a platform fo charge delocalization and transport at the nanoscale; (c) focusing on catalysis and reaction engineering for resource-efficient chemical and fuel production from biomass and (d) synthesizing catalyts via carbon-carbon bond cleavage.