The goal of this project is to upgrade and expand the undergraduate chemistry program at Carthage College in the area of infrared spectrophotometry. A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer will be used by students in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, inorganic chemistry, and undergraduate research. Investigations include: delineating the effects of various molecular substituents on characteristic group frequencies, quantitative analysis of mixtures, structure elucidation and compound identification, determination of vibrational and rotational constants, and determining effects of intercalators on secondary structure of DNA using the FT-IR Circle Cell accessory. Throughout, students will gain experience in computer-controlled instrument operation and computer use of a spectral identification library.
