500 MHz NMR spectrometer

• Subject Area: Molecular Chemistry
• Term: Funded in 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 414153038

High level NMR spectroscopy is crucial for the thorough characterisation of various chemical substances, and the wide variety of research activities at the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry in Münster results in an enormous demand for differentiated methods. Research on Main-Group chemistry in our institute comprises hydrometallation reactions, frustrated and active Lewis pairs including catalytic oligomerisation reactions, mixed Group 13/Group 14 compounds, novel clusters formed by silicon atoms, electron rich phosphorus compounds and their application in small molecule activation, phosphorus cations with switchable Lewis acidities, synthesis of bulky phosphine ligands, compounds with phosphorus-carbon double bonds or new polymer electrolytes. Transition metal chemistry is represented by N-heterocyclic carbenes, the corresponding metal complexes, supramolecular entities, their application in catalyis or by functional materials for photophysics and photobiology. Bioinorganic chemistry is dealing with metal-mediated base pairs based on model compounds and artificial nucleic acids. Without exception, these areas have an enormous demand for special NMR methods. High resolution spectra are required for example for the structural assignment of silicon clusters, for the careful characterization of substances available only in small quantities or of compounds having a poor solubility, for the study of dynamic processes or for the structure determination in solution which allows the important comparison with results from crystal structure determinations or quantum-chemical calculations. NMR spectroscopy allows a precise structure determination also in those cases, in which crystalline material is not available. A 500 MHz NMR spectrometer is perfectly suited to handle these requests and will allow the application of modern techniques on a high level with a broad frequency range and the determination of numerous hetero nuclei. It will replace an irreversibly damaged NMR spectrometer and help to maintain the enormous throughput of 27.000 NMR measurements per year on a higher level than before. Its acquisition is crucial for the international competitiveness of our research and for the competent handling of current and future projects funded by diverse funding organizations.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 500 MHz-NMR-Gerät
• Instrumentation Group: 1740 Hochauflösende NMR-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Leaders: Professor Dr. Jens Müller, since 9/2022; Professor Dr. Werner Uhl, until 8/2020