Computers
A group computer facility/library, located across the hall from our labs, houses several Macintosh and PCs, as well as a Linux system used to run theoretical calculations and workup NMR spectra. We subscribe to most journals on organic chemistry, and we can carry out literature searches electronically. Microsoft Office as well as programs such as ChemDraw are available at each station.

Polarimeter
Our group has a Perkin Elmer Model 341 Polarimeter. This instrument
is useful for determining the optical rotation of optically active
compounds. It features both Na (589 nm) and Hg lamps and is primarily
used for measuring the specific rotation of compounds in solution held
in a quartz cell that was specifically designed for this type of
polarimeter.

GCs
Group members have access to four HP/Agilent gas chromatographs.
Controllable through Agilent's ChemStation™ interface, the instruments
can be equipped with a wide variety of capillary columns to separate
compounds both achiral and chiral in nature.

GCMS
We recently installed the latest Agilent 7890 GC equipped with a 5975 MS detector. This system allows analyses of compounds up to 1050 AMU thanks to a gold/quartz quadrupole and has enhanced abilities to analyze samples from complex matrices. Included is an 8 vial auto-injector for unattended use of this instrument. Also, an EZ-swap fixture allows rapid changeover from different GC/MS columns with almost no downtime. All is controlled by the latest version of the MSD Productivity Chemstation© software.

Glove Box
Our glovebox is made by Vacuum Atmospheres. It is equipped with an anti-static device to ensure easy weighing of powdered reagents (e.g., LAH). The box can be entered through either a small or large ante-chamber.

Solvent Filtration / Stills
We have two purification systems in place for common solvents. A PureSolv filtration system by Innovative Technology Inc. for water free filtration, as well as several stills set up for maintaining oxygen free solvents.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Our group has a Shimadzu HPLC with a diode array detector spanning the UV/Vis range of frequencies. The quaternary pump with internal degasser facilitates complex gradient elution of both normal and reverse phase solvent systems. The system is equipped with a selection of columns, including columns with chiral packing for the separation of enantiomers. The operating software from Shimadzu runs on a standard Windows PC.

FTIR
We have in the group a Jasco FT/IR-430 instrument. Its features include: (1) an innovative patented light source for maximum throughput; (2) a sealed, maintenance free interferometer; (3) superior signal to noise ratio; (4) Spectra Manager 32 bit Windows platform; (5) a quick start measurement system; (6) a wavenumber range: 7800-350 cm-1; (7) resolution: 0.9, 2, 4, 8 and 16 cm-1.

Microwave Reactor
We recently added to the group a new PersonalChemistry Emrys Optimizer, a mono-mode reactor microwave system to perform varyious organic reactions. This system is fully automated such that up to 60 reactions can be run without intervention. The system has an automated Gilson arm which loads each sample individually. Each is then subjected to controlled microwave irradiation at a pre-determined temperature. Upon cooling by the instrument with concommitant pressure release, each sample is then automatically placed back in the rack. This allows for rapid optimization of reaction conditions assisting in the development of new technologies.

ReactIR
The ReactIR is an IR light bench which was developed specifically for in situ spectroscopic monitoring of chemical reactions. It is fitted with both SiComp and DiComp probes constructed of extremely inert materials, and packs high sensitivity into a very small "hot spot" within the reaction flask, useful for volumes in the 5 mL to 1000 mL range. The spectrometer is useful for collecting an IR profile of the progress of a reaction, and is supported by a user friendly computer program for data analysis, especially of reaction kinetics.