This project will introduce the capabilities of 200 MHz Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance (FT-NMR) spectroscopy into our courses in organic chemistry and advanced experimental techniques. In organic chemistry the instrument will be used for structural analyses via proton and carbon-13 spectroscopy. The greater sensitivity of FT-NMR to characterize products will find use in the microscale organic laboratory. Experiments will be introduced to increase student awareness of NMR applications. The high magnetic field and chemical shift reagents will be utilized to resolve spectra of complex molecules and optical stereoisomer mixtures. In the advanced course a variety of experiments will be offered which illustrate and explain currently used NMR techniques such as nuclear spin decoupling and measurement of nuclear relaxation times within a molecular structure. Reactions of organic ligands in transition metal coordination compounds will be monitored via carbon-13 observation.
