NMR Facility - Chemistry Department

Welcome to the NMR Facility!

The Chemistry Department’s Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility serves the entire UChicago community and beyond.

Usage Model

The Chemistry NMR Facility is an open-access recharge-based core facility. Users are trained by facility staff to operate the instruments independently. Samples are not submitted to facility staff, but the Facility Manager is available for special requests and scientific collaboration. Principal Investigators (professors, course directors) pay for instrument usage on a time-based rate schedule.

The Facility & Equipment

Our facility spans three locations, supporting a total of five NMR spectrometers and one EPR spectrometer

Main lab & manager’s office: Searle 340F  (Two 500 and one 400 MHz NMR instruments)
Gordon Center Lab: GCIS E340  (One 500 and one 400 MHz NMR instruments)
EPR Lab: Jones 103. (One X-band EPR instrument)

Training

Facility staff provide training to operate the instruments, process data, and prepare samples. We hold two types of regular training: Level1 covers use of the autosampler-equipped spectrometers, and Level2 covers manual operation of the other spectrometers. Under COVID, all training is conducted one-one-one with the facility manager, and scheduling is arranged on an individual basis. Training for specific techniques (such as “variable temperature” operation) is available by arrangement with the facility manager.

 

Automated operation - Level1 training

“I put my samples in the robot so I can return to the bench while the spectrometer acquires high-quality routine data for me.”

Manual operation - Level2 training

“I walk up to the instrument and operate it manually to get a quick routine spectrum or two.”

Intensive operation - Level2 training, optional training

“I reserve instrument time for an extended period, then use it to manually run experiments that require extra attention and time. I may leave it to run unattended for several hours, perhaps at high or low temperature.”

NEWS

Managing Expectations for First Week of Phase 2 Reopening

Managing Expectations for First Week of Phase 2 Reopening

Hi NMR Community. Before launching into Phase 2 Monday, I want to manage some expectations regarding NMR use. The points below reflect key elements on the facility's reopening plan, but the plan hasn't yet been formally approved by the university. If anything changes,...

Optimized Default 13C Parameters

Optimized Default 13C Parameters

The Point: A new set of default parameters, named "CARBON", has been developed that increases 13C signal strength for all signals relative to traditional parameter settings. Some signal intensities are DOUBLED relative to results obtained with commonly-used parameter...

Optimized Default 1H Parameters

Optimized Default 1H Parameters

The Point: Everyday 1H NMR spectra should be acquired with default parameter sets; that’s the whole point of having them. Most data can be acquired in one scan (params = PROTON1). If you want more than one scan, you should use PROTON8, even if you’re going to change...