MRI: Acquisition of a 400 MHz Spectrometer for Research, Undergraduate Research and Training, and Curricular Reform

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With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) and support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program (CRIF), Professor Diana Cermak from Knox College and colleagues Katherine Adelsberger, Helen Hoyt and Mark Shroyer will acquire a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer. This spectrometer will allow research in a variety of fields such as those that accelerate chemical reactions of significant economic importance, as well as allow study of biologically relevant species. In general, 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 synthetic organic/inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry and biochemistry. This instrument will be an integral part of teaching as well as research performed by undergraduate students at Knox College, Monmouth and Illinois Central College.The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) synthesis and characterization of camphor-sulfonyl derivatives and new phosphonates; (b) studying redox-activity of supporting ligands; (c) characterizing inorganic iron complexes, organic reaction products and organic ligands; (d) identifying phosphorus species and quantifying plant-available phosphorus within soils at Knox's biological field station; (e) studying solution phase magnetism and singlet-triplet splitting for Cu(II) carboxylate dinuclear species; and (f) studying lignans and peptides.