Instruments

There are two ways for users to measure NMR spectra: use the walk-up instrument for routine work or talk to the NMR staff for more customised experiments.

All users must be trained by the NMR staff before using any of the instruments; a link to the training schedule and booking form can be found on the PPMS software from Stratocore (see https://ppms.eu/bham/login/?pf=10).

Walk-up instruments

Three instruments are managed under a walk-up, self-service mode. They provide convenient automated measurements of common 1D and 2D experiments for routine structural characterisation.

Bruker 300 MHz NMR spectrometer “Chipmunk”

Bruker 300 MHz NMR spectrometer

Specifications

  • Bruker 7.04 T Ultrashield magnet

  • Bruker AVIII console (2009)

  • 5 mm BBFO probe

  • Sample Xpress autosampler

The probe for this spectrometer is calibrated for 1H, 13C, 19F and 31P but its main use is to measure 1D 1H spectra with a quick turnaround.

Bruker 400 MHz NMR spectrometer “Raven”

Bruker 400 MHz NMR spectrometer “Raven”

Specifications

  • Oxford Instruments 9.39 T magnet

  • Bruker AVIII console (2009)

  • 5 mm 1H-13C DUL probe

  • Sample Xpress autosampler (60 positions)

The probe for this spectrometer can measure 1H and 13C spectra.  This spectrometer is used to run full characterisation (1D 1H, 1D 13C and 2D 1H-1H or 1H-13C spectra) on purified reaction products.

Bruker 400 MHz NMR spectrometer “Otter”

Bruker 400 MHz NMR spectrometer “Otter”

Specifications

  • Bruker 9.39 T Ultrashield magnet

  • Bruker AVANCE NEO console (2018)

  • 5 mm BBFO “smart” probe

  • SampleCase+ autosampler (60 positions)

The probe for this spectrometer is calibrated for 1H, 11B, 13C, 15N, 19F, 29Si, 31P, 77Se, 139La, and 195Pt.


Staff-run/manual instruments

Two additional instruments are available for samples and experiments that require more advanced NMR analysis or non-standard conditions.

Bruker 400 MHz NMR spectrometer “Puma”

Bruker 300 MHz NMR spectrometer “Puma”

Specifications

  • Bruker 9.39 T Ultrashield magnet
  • Bruker AVANCE NEO console (2017)
  • 5 mm BBFO “smart” probe
  • SampleCase autosampler (24 positions)
  • BCU-II chiller

The probe for this spectrometer has been calibrated for 1H, 11B, 13C, 15N, 19F, 31P, and 139La and with a temperature range of -80 °C to +110 °C. This spectrometer is used to perform variable temperature (VT) NMR experiments and is the spectrometer of choice when post-graduate and postdoctoral researchers want hands-on experience with running some NMR spectra manually for more customised requests.

Bruker 500 MHz NMR spectrometer “Moose"

Bruker 500 MHz NMR spectrometer

Specifications

  • Bruker 11.74 T Ultrashield magnet
  • Bruker AVANCE NEO console (2017)
  • 5 mm nitrogen-cooled “Prodigy” BBFO probe
  • SampleCase autosampler (24 positions)
  • BCU-II chiller

The probe for this spectrometer has been calibrated for 1H, 11B, 13C, 15N, 19F, 31P, 77Se, and 195Pt with a temperature range of -35 °C to +80 °C. This spectrometer is used when the highest sensitivity and resolution are required.

Researchers requiring higher sensitivity and resolution (600 MHz to 900 MHz) can measure data at the Biomolecular NMR Facility at the Henry Wellcome Building.