This project incorporates a multinuclear high-field NMR instrument into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. An NMR instrument is being used in the organic, inorganic, polymer, biochemistry, and quantum chemistry courses, as well as in student research. In addition, a new course is being developed to teach the theory and practice of NMR spectroscopy. Experiments in these courses have been designed to enhance student understanding of proton, carbon, and phosphorus NMR spectra and to provide experience in analyzing these data in the elucidation of structure. Furthermore, NMR is being used as a tool in kinetic, mechanistic, and quantum mechanical studies. In the 3-year period of this project, an estimated 400 chemistry students can gain skills that will better prepare them to characterize reaction products and study important reactions being investigated in academia or industry.
