The Department of Chemistry is purchasing a 300 MHz broadband NMR spectrometer with variable temperature capabilities for the use of undergraduate instruction. The instrument is an vital component in the implementation of a innovative long range undergraduate laboratory project extending over the two years of instruction in organic and physical chemistry. Known locally as a series experiment the students synthesize a porphyrin in the organic laboratory and study many of its chemical and physical properties. They retain a sample of the prepared compound for use in further courses. For example, in physical chemistry they acquire 2-D spectra and investigate the tautomeric forms of porphyrins. These experiments are followed by conversion to both a diamagnetic and paramagnetic metalloporphyrin which is investigated using both NMR and EPR techniques.
