This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA) will assist the Department of Chemistry at Wake Forest University to acquire a 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas such as the following: (1) small molecule-DNA interactions, bioorganic chemistry, (2) the oxidative polymerization of pyrroles and thiophenes, (3) preparation of new compounds capable of interaction with the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, (4) analysis of the chemistry of reactive intermediates, and (5) transition-mediated organic chemistry. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available to chemists 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 state-of-the-art NMR spectrometry is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies are useful in the areas such as polymers, catalysis, and in biology.
