Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most important tool available to the chemist for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, characterize specific arrangements of atoms within molecules, and to study the dynamics of interactions between molecules in solution. Access to modern NMR spectroscopy is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The Department of Chemistry at the University of Rochester will use this award from the Chemical Instrumentation Program to help upgrade a high-field NMR spectrometer. The areas of chemical research that will be enhanced by the upgrade include the following: 1) Para hydrogen induced polarization and metal catalyzed reactions of silanes 2) Studies of C-H activation and insertion reactions 3) Electron transport in proteins 4) Light induced electron transport processes 5) Chemical reactivity of odd electron species.
