Nuclear magnetic resonance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an analytical technique used to determine the content and purity of a sample as well as its molecular structure.

Contact us

Contact Dr Laurence Jennings for more information, including details about charges and sample requirements.

Applications

NMR can be used to:

quantitatively analyse mixtures containing known compounds
match against spectral libraries (for unknown compounds) or to infer the basic structure directly or with two-dimensional experiments.

Once you know the basic structure, you can use NMR to determine molecular conformation in a solution and to study physical properties at the molecular level, such as conformational exchange NOESY, ROESY and TOCSY, phase changes, solubility and diffusion (DOSY).

Equipment and location

Equipment

Our high-resolution spectrometers are used for research in the areas of chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, structural biology and physics.

You can use:

Bruker ASCEND 500MHz spectrometer
Bruker AVANCE 500MHz spectrometer
Bruker AVANCE 300MHz spectrometer.

The high-field 500MHz machines are available to School research groups and other approved users on a collaborative or consultative basis.

The low-field 300MHz machine is used for laboratory teaching and research activities within our School.

Experiments

Basic one-dimensional experiments
- ¹H and ¹³C, dept135 nmrs
Complex one-dimensional and two-dimensional experiments
- Homodecoupling, 1D COSY, 1D NOESY and 1D TOCSY
- Two-dimensional: COSY, NOESY, ROESY, TOCSY, HMQC, HSQC, H2BC and HMBC
Multi-nuclear studies, rare nuclei, for example 31P, 109Ag, 29Si, 15N, 27Al, 51V, 71Ga and 195Pt

All three machines have variable temperature capability.

Location

Chemistry Building (Building 68), Room 110

Bookings and procedures

Make a booking

Visit our bookings system website to book time on a spectrometer.

Book a 500MHz machine

You can book either of the 500MHz machines during these times:

Monday to Friday, between 9am and 7pm: maximum of two hours
Monday to Friday nights, any time between 7pm to 9am the next morning
weekends: any time.

Book the 300MHz machine

This machine runs via an Autosample changer and holds up to 60 samples.

It is a walk-up machine, and you can use it for:

¹H nmr short runs (two hours): Monday to Friday, from 9am to 7pm
¹³CNMR and ¹³C NMR experiments:
- Monday to Friday nights, any time between 7pm and 9am the next morning (ensure you set up your night run before you submit a request)
- any time on weekends.