The NMR Spectrometer

We have a 60 MHz NMR spectrometer in the organic chemistry teaching laboratory.  This section is intended to help you visualize the spectrometer when unable to be in the lab.

  1. The spectrometer (an Eft-60)
  2. Computer
  3. Housing of the magnet and probe
  4. Hole that is about 4” deep to allow you to set or “gauge” the sample height in the spinner.
  5. The spinner
  6. Flashlight (green) to allow you to see inside the probe to check if your sample is spinning before collecting data.
  7. Lid to the probe area. This should remain closed (as shown) unless you are inserting or removing a sample from the probe.

 

 

When you open the lid to the spectrometer, this is what you will see.

  1. A sample in the gauge. Note the thin glass NMR tube with a red plastic cap is placed in the white spinner.  The tube extends several inches into the gauge hole.  NMR tube is pushed to the bottom of the hole with the spinner resting on top of the hole.
  2. Once wiped clean with a Kimwipe, the tube and spinner are placed into the probe.
  3. A lever labeled A can be flipped to turn on and off nitrogen flow in the probe that will induce spinning of the tube when nitrogen is on. Button B can be pressed to redirect nitrogen upward to eject the sample from the probe.  (See next image for better view of lever A and button B.)

 

 

Here’s a slightly different view of the probe area. 

  1. The sample tube and spinner are sitting at the top of the probe.
  2. Lever A is in the down position, meaning nitrogen is flowing. Currently, it is the flow of nitrogen that is pushing the sample to the top of the probe.  Flipping lever A up will turn off the nitrogen flow and allow the spinner and sample to drop down into the probe.  Flipping the lever again should initiate spinning of the sample.  Often there is a dot on the top of the spinner (marked via a Sharpie) that allows you to more easily tell if the sample is spinning down in the probe.
  3. Press and hold the black button B to change the nitrogen flow to eject the sample to the top of the probe.
  4. Several knobs are located under the Do Not Adjust! paper that should only be adjusted by the instructor when necessary.