MRI: Acquisition of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer for Research on Organic Materials and Student Training

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With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation program (MRI), the Department of Chemistry at Hampton University will acquire a 400 MHz spectrometer. The NMR spectrometer will be utilized in research projects including 1) synthesis and evaluation of specialty monomers and polymers for aerospace applications, 2) optimization of polarity in electroactive polyimide polymers, 3) azobenzene and liquid crystalline chromophores for optical application, and 4) synthesis of new oleo-chemicals by metathesis of renewable unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. These projects will provide hands-on research opportunities for a significant number of underrepresented students, thus, preparing many of them for graduate programs.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, to 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 spectrometers is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies will have an impact in polymer chemistry and materials.