Using an Autosampler Manually
Very soon, all the instruments in the UChicago Chemistry NMR Facility will be equipped with autosamplers, including the manually-operated ones. Two questions may come to mind: How? Why?
Quick Orientation to Topspin 4.2
The software running 500-3 and which will be running 600-1 is version 4.2.0 of Topspin. It works mostly the same as the Topspin we’ve been using, but there are some important differences to note. This post covers some of the key differences you’ll encounter right away.
Improved Datastation Environments, Data Availability
SUMMARY The data availability scheme for the NMR facility has improved in several ways, beginning in December 2021. See: https://chemnmrlab.uchicago.edu/data/ for specific instructions. New spectra are now automatically copied to datastations nmr15/50 and nmr8/60...
Autoshim – Important for Long Experiments
Here’s a tip for you when acquiring long experiments manually: use the Autoshim feature. Located in the BSMS control window, clicking “Start” will ensure your shim quality stays good over long periods (~4+ hours). But when you’re done, be sure to click “Start” again to toggle it off, or else it’ll continue operating when the next user is trying to run, which will surprise them and give them inconvenience.
Success with the “-opt” 2D experiments in automation
The most common 2D experiments on the automated systems work best if you choose the one whose names end in “-opt”; these experiments examine a preliminary PROTON8 experiment and reset the 1H spectrum window in the 2D so you get the best resolution. It’s very easy to set up, but things can go wrong if you make changes or decide you need a 2D after the 1H 1D has already been acquired. Here are some tips for success.
1D NOESY made easy
Many chemical structure questions can be answered with 1H-1H distance estimates derived from the 1D NOESY experiment. There are a variety of ways to set up this experiment, but we now have two short videos that UChicago users can access with their phones at the spectrometer – no homework or special prep required.