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Instrumentation

The Chemistry Department is fortunate to have powerful, modern instrumentation that was funded partly by a generous gift from J. Houston Witherspoon. Students use these instruments early in their academic careers and acquire valuable hands-on experience. The most important instruments are shown below.

Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer

GC-MS

The Shimadzu Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (gc/ms) is used to separate mixtures and to characterize each component in the mixture. The mixture is separated in the gas chromatograph while the mass spectrometer characterizes each compound as it exits the gc. Sophomores in Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry as well as juniors and seniors conducting undergraduate research use this instrument.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrophotometer

NMR

The Anaszi Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrophotometer is used by sophomores in Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. The instrument is a Fourier Transform (FTNMR) that can be used to obtain proton or C13 spectra.

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

The Buck Model 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA) is used to measure the concentration of metals such as lead, mercury, zinc and iron. First Year Students use this instrument to measure the amount of lead in soil that has been contaminated by lead paint.

Infrared Spectrophotometer

Sophomores in Organic Chemistry obtain extensive hands-on experience with the Buck Model 500 Infrared Spectrophotometer (IR). It is used to characterize products which have been synthesized in the lab and to determine the presence of functional groups like alcohol, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones etc. Kate Reese, a Chemistry Assistant and serious rock climber, works on the IR.

High Performance Liquid Chromatographs

HPLC

The Department has two high performance chromatographs:(1) a SP8800 Spectra Physics pump with a Waters 490E Detetector and (2) a Shimadzu LC-10AT Pump with a RF-10A Fluorescence Detector and a SPD-10AV uv/vis Detector. These instruments are used by sophomores in Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry as well as advanced students conducting undergraduate research.

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