Purchase of a 100MHz FT-NMR for Undergraduate Instruction and Research

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Through this project, the institution was able to purchase an FT- NMR spectrometer to use as a laboratory tool for the structure identification of organic compounds. Most of the compounds are synthesized by students in one of several organic and polymer chemistry laboratory courses offered in the department. In this project, a variety of experiments were carefully chosen to enable the students to gain an appreciation and understanding of the instrument as a spectroscopic tool for structural analysis. These include (a) analysis of polymer tacticity, (b) residual monomer and microstructural product analysis of polymers synthesized by ring-opening and ring-closing polymerizations, (c) simplification of spectra of some amides and alcohols by use of chiral/non-chiral lanthanide shift reagents and by deuterium exchange of acidic protons, (d) demonstration of rotameric transformation in amides by variable temperature NMR, and (e) general utility in synthetic organic chemistry. The instrument has also been useful in several student research projects in progress at the department. The instrument improved the quality and effectiveness of teaching in relevant lab- associated courses and better prepared the students for advanced careers in chemistry. The institution contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.