400 MHz NMR spectrometer for liquid samples (solutions)

• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: Funded in 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549617614

For the Institute of Biochemistry a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer for liquid samples (solutions) is requested to entirely replace the 300 MHz NMR spectrometer currently in operation (including all functions that are required/applied). The current 300 MHz NMR spectrometer covers the NMR-service for the institute but is also used for challenging non-trivial research questions. It provides routine 1H, 13C, 19F, 31P and 2D NMR spectra of typical chemical samples. Other hetero nuclei (6/7Li, 11B, 33S, 51V, 77Se, 95Mo, 119Sn, etc.) are also addressed from time to time. NMR measurements have further been successfully used to monitor enzymatic conversions (kinetics). There is a demand for 183W-NMR, which is presently not covered. The requested device is expected to improve this situation. Samples are commonly products of chemical, biochemical or biotechnological syntheses. The research of three working groups, whose progress depends on information that can only be determined by NMR spectra, stands and falls with these measurements. In addition, there are occasional measurements for the Institutes of Pharmacy (in case their own equipment is non-operational), Biology and Geology, as well as for external collaborators. The 300 MHz NMR is operation 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. In the years 2021 to 2023, for example, despite several months of downtime, a total of 1920 experiments were carried out with a wide variety of requirements for the cores which are examined, coupling/decoupling, temperature, kinetic monitoring, low-concentration samples, etc. Demand has been rising continuously since 2015, which is now leading to increasingly longer waiting times, partly because a 300 MHz device requires comparatively longer measurement times per sample than a higher-frequency device. The 300 MHz NMR was initially put into operation in 1993. It was modernized in 2006 when it was relocated to the new institute building while retaining the magnet and probe. In 2017, a further modernization took place with the replacement of the probe, which enabled 19F measurements. Since around 2016, there has been an increasing need for repairs. There are now regular downtimes, which severely disrupt research and teaching. Spare parts, such as a communication unit for controlling the console via the PC (which recently broke down again), are only available as refurbished parts. According to the manufacturer, the instrument has also reached the end of its life. In addition, there are notably increased costs for helium. Due to its age, the magnet is not as efficient in terms of helium consumption as more modern instruments. It therefore makes sense to replace it for long-term sustainability reasons. In order to maintain research and teaching operations, taking into account actual requirements, a replacement is urgently needed for the Institute of Biochemistry.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 400 MHz NMR-Spektrometer für Flüssig-/Lösungsproben
• Instrumentation Group: 1740 Hochauflösende NMR-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Greifswald
• Leader: Professorin Dr. Carola Schulzke