With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Departmental Multi-User Instrumentation program (CRIF:MU), Professor Walter E. Rudzinski and colleagues Michael Blanda, Chad J. Booth, Debra Feakes and Jennifer Irvin from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State University - San Marcos will upgrade a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer. The upgraded console will allow pulsed field gradient experiments and much faster data collection and increased student accessibility. The spectrometer will also have an auto-sampler. The instrument will be used to support research activities such: 1) self-assembly of inherently chiral calix[6]arenes into helical nanotubes; 2) development of high performance polymeric materials; 3) investigation of polyhedral borane anions; and, 4) study of electroactive polymers with improved n-doping stability and the effects of dopant ions on electroactivity
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 solids and 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 a positive impact in synthetic organic/inorganic chemistry and materials chemistry. This instrument will be an integral part of teaching as well as research.
Texas State University was awarded an NSF grant to upgrade an existing 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument that had an antiquated computer system. The old software limited the ability of researchers, post-doctoral scientists and students to use the equipment to validate the identity of compounds that were being synthesized. With the acquisition of more modern software for better control and data analysis, complicated experiments were much easier to perform because of more reliable and user friendly software. In addition a number of two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance experiments could be performed which sumplified the interpretation of data. In addition because an autosampler was attached to the instrument students in the laboratory could submit their samples and see whether they were successful in preparing a number of compounds. Undergraduates could not previously obtain such data because of the complexity of the software and because of the fragility of the old instrument. The old software and control equipment was over 11 years old, parts were no longer available and the down time was significant which hampered the performance of successful research. With the acquistion of the upgrade, the NMR was now rendered more stable and accessible to multiple users at Texas State University.
