Acquisition of a Low-Field NMR Spectrometer for Research and Teaching

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With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities: Departmental Multi-User Instrumentation program (CRIF:MU), Professors Martin L. Kirk, Richard Kemp, Patrick S. Mariano, Robert T. Paine and Wei Wang from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the University of New Mexico will acquire a low-field (300 MHz) multinuclear NMR spectrometer. The instrument will be used to support research activities such as: 1) synthetic methodologies that allow for step by-step (atom-by-atom) assembly of new families of main group element ring and polycyclic cage compounds rich in Group 13, 14 and 15 elements; 2) activation and fixing of small molecules such as carbon dioxide, COS, carbon disulfide, and oxygen to produce more valuable products; 3) homogeneous catalytic routes to epoxides and other partially-oxidized organics using late transition metal pincer complexes; 4) characterization of structures and stereochemistry of synthetic intermediates and natural and non-natural products; 5) rational design of Giardia lamblia growth inhibitors as well as study of phosphoproteins; 6) study of donor-bridge-acceptor systems as potential components of molecular wire devices and, 7) synthesis of new inhibitors of the proteins cholesterol esterase, lactate dehydrogenase, NfKB, urokinase, aldose reductase, HIV protease and Abeta aggregates.Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy is an essential analytical tool in chemistry and biochemistry research. The spectra enable researchers to identify unknown substances and to provide information on the atom arrangement and structures in species ranging from small molecules to large proteins by detecting transitions between energy levels arising from the nuclear spin properties of atoms. This spectrometer will enhance many research activities of investigators and students, many of whom are from underrepresented groups.