Research Instrumentation

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry houses a full complement of instruments crucial to the pursuit of chemical research. Students, post-docs and faculty using a Trio-2000 mass spectrometer and data system can routinely obtain mass spectra. The Trio-2000 is interfaced to a gas chromatograph (GC) and is equipped with a direct inlet and a solids probe. Electrospray mass spectrometry is also available on this instrument. For more challenging samples, the full range of modern mass spectrometric techniques are available on the VG7070EHF mass spectrometer. High-resolution mass spectrometry, fast-atom bombardment (FAB), chemical ionization, DCI, linked scans and other sophisticated experiments are performed on the VG7070EHF. FAB is especially useful in studies of polymers and biopolymers such as proteins and polynucleotides. MS/MS experiments can be performed on a VG ZAB located in the department. The department has recently acquired a Bruker Microflex matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometer.

Our mass spectrometry (MS) capability is greatly enhanced by the University Mass Spectrometry Facility.  A full range of modern mass spectrometric techniques is available on the VG7070EHF mass spectrometer that has a new computer consul.  High-resolution mass spectrometry, fast-atom bombardment (FAB), chemical ionization, linked scans and other sophisticated experiments are performed on the VG7070EHF.  Also, the department has two Trio-2000 Fissons Mass Spectrometers and data systems, which allows for the use of electrospray techniques as well as GC-electron impact and chemical ionization.  The department also houses a DuPont 491 MS for chemical ionization experiments, and ZAB 1F MS-MS instrument for electron impact and chemical ionization.  We also have a newly acquired Bruker MALDI-TOF for large molecules, especially proteins and enzymes.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) is a technique that is absolutely essential to chemical research and our department is well equipped with spectrometers that are available for student use. Experts in NMR are also available to help with instrument operation and spectrum interpretation. The NMR Facility houses three high-field superconducting magnet NMR instruments. A Bruker Avance II 250 functions as an instructional instrument as well as a “workhorse” spectrometer allowing students to have routine access to 1H, 13C, 31P, or 19F NMR spectroscopy as needed to track the course of a reaction or characterize novel compounds. A z-gradient equipped Bruker Avance 400 multinuclear NMR is available for samples that require the resolution and sensitivity advantages of higher-field instrumentation. Virtually all modern 2D NMR techniques such as COSY, NOESY, indirectly detected C-H correlation experiments (HSQC, HMQC and HMBC) may be performed on this instrument, and nearly all NMR-active nuclei are observable with our selection of probes. The instrument has a temperature range of +180 to -160 oC, making possible the investigation of a wide range of dynamic phenomena. The department has also recently acquired a new Bruker 600 MHz NMR with a cryoprobe. All modern liquid state 2D and 3D techniques can be performed on this instrument. This instrument is being used for the determination of 3-dimensional molecular structures of biologically important proteins.

The department houses the University X-Ray Diffraction Facility that contains a state-of-the-art Bruker APEX single crystal X-ray diffractometer with an area detector and an Oxford cyrostream low-temperature device.  Using this instrument, faculty and trained graduate students are capable of performing single-crystal X-ray structural determinations.  This instrument is an important tool for our inorganic and organic faculty involved in complex syntheses.  The facility also houses a new Rigaku powder X-ray diffractometer. 

The department houses a host of spectrophotometers including those used for fluorimetry, FT-IR, FT-Raman, and GC/FT-IR.  There are many capillary gas chromatographs in the department, one of which uses an ion-trap detector.  There are several HPLC’s and a preparative-scale HPLC that permits the rapid separation of multi-gram mixtures.  Thermal measurements are performed using microcalorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry.  The department has a number of UV-vis and UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometers with a diffuse reflectance attachments.  We also have a new spectrophotometer for magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) measurements.  Finally, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments can be performed on the department’s new Bruker EMX spectrometer.

The department’s educational philosophy is that a well-trained chemist must be familiar with the operation of modern chemical instrumentation. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to learn to operate the equipment that they need in their research. A typical graduate student will have learned to operate several major instruments by the time the student receives an advanced degree. This “hands-on” approach applies to all instruments in the department and distinguishes Auburn University from other institutions where few graduate students are permitted access to the major instruments.