The Chemistry Department is purchasing a 60 MHz NMR Spectrometer for use in the organic chemistry laboratory course, and in a variety of upper-division laboratory courses. In sophomore organic chemistry, students use the instrument to analyze a variety of products of chemical synthesis. In the junior organic course, the NMR is used to demonstrate aromatic ring currents as part of a synthesis of tin-prophorin complexes. The instrument is also used in connection with the senior level instrumental analysis course, the inorganic and biochemistry laboratories, and the senior research program. The fourier transform capability of the instrument is of particular importance to the Department since it provides students with valuable experience in the techniques of FT-NMR spectroscopy, as well as the opportunity to demonstrate the interdisciplinary importance of mathematics in the sciences.
