The modern chemist relies on a number of instruments to characterize molecules and to handle and interpret vast quantities of data. Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are crucial to the former and modern computers are essential to the latter. State-of-the art MS, NMR and computer instrumentation is indespensible for the execution of frontier research in chemistry. The Department of Chemistry at Columbia University will use this multi-instrument award from the Chemistry Shared Instrumentation Program to help acquire a Mass Spectrometer, computer equipment, and components to improve departmental NMR spectrometers. Included among the areas of chemical research that will be enhanced by these acquisitions are the following: 1) Quantum solvation and dynamics 2) Chemical model systems relevant to enzymatic processes 3) Novel antiaromatic compounds and their solid state properties 4) Synthesis of polymeric metallocenes 5) Structural bioorganic studies of bioactive compounds 6) Synthesis of natural and unnatural ionophores 7) Structure and dynamics of starburst polymers.
