NSF Award
9951403
The technique of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is incorporated across the undergraduate chemistry curriculum at Southwestern Oklahoma State University through a conversion to an existing Varian EM-360. This conversion consists of the Anasazi EFT-60 FT Conversion Package with 13C Accessory. The converted instrument permits the inclusion of chemical structure, reactivity, kinetics, and equilibria into the lecture and laboratories of our curriculum. In general chemistry structural analysis, along with basic theory and instructions, allow students to analyze simple organic compounds. In organic chemistry, NMR theory is discussed in detail and the complexity of molecules analyzed increases. Students identify products of reactions using GC, FTIR, and 1H and 13C NMR methods. Kinetics and equilibria of selected reactions are studied using NMR in physical chemistry. COSY, 2D NMR, and the effects of shift reagents are studied in instrumental analysis. Additionally, undergraduate research students use the NMR for analysis. Gains from NSF funded projects at West Virginia University and the University of Central Oklahoma are adapted for incorporating NMR methods across the curriculum and significantly improving student understanding of NMR theory and techniques. Additionally, methods of archival analysis are adapted from funded works at Grinnell College.
