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This page is devoted to making life with the NMR spectrometer a little easier to handle. This page will continue to be updated as we also learn new tricks.

Bruker links will be added as TOPSPIN instructions are developed. Use "NMR Guide" on the Bruker computers as an additional resource.

Considering the incredible number and diversity of chemical instrumentation on the market today it is almost impossible to generalize a page such as this. Unfortunately, many of the tips on these pages are specific to the MIT DCIF. That's not to say that much of this information cannot be useful to a broader audience. We strive to make these tips and guidelines as general as possible. If you know of a way to improve (i.e. better generalize) this page let us know. Thank you for your continuing help.

 

 

[General Tips] [Solvent Reference Lists] [Experiment Tips and Guides] [Plotting and Printing Tips]
[Instrument Problems and Curiosities] [Sample prep and NMR tube care]

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  General Tips:

  • The first thing you may want to look at is our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheets. This answers and addresses many of the little problems we encounter on a day to day basis. You can view or download the FAQ sheet: (Varian adobe image)(Bruker adobe image)
  • Here adobe image is an algorithm for determining the resonances of a 'known' structure.
  • Here adobe image is a helpful algorithm for determining the resonances of an 'unknown' structure.
  • Ever wonder 'Which 2D experiment is best for me?' This useful data sheet may help you in determining which experiment is best for you. This sheet summarizes some of the more common 2D pulse sequences including the information content and pros and cons. Get one here adobe image!
  • Here are some other Academic NMR Facility tutorial / instruction sheets / user guides. These include numerous hardware, software, and experimental tips. I've tried to group them by manufacturer but the is a lot of general information available as well.
NMR Solvent Reference Lists:

Fluorine (19F) lists:
  • The NMR Facility at Indiana University has an extensive list of 19F Chemical Shifts and Coupling Constants. You can find it here.
  • NMR related Fluorine references can be found at "The Wired Chemist". You can get it here.
  • If you prefer your references in .pdf format here is a list from the University of Colorado.
Phosphorous (31P) lists:
  • An extensive Phosphorous NMR reference listing can be found at "The Wired Chemist". The url is here.
  • Another can be found at the University of Indiana. Your can get it here

Experiment Guideline Sheets:
(click the acronym to get a description of the experiment)

  • Instrument training sheets (covering simple 1D 1H and 13C spectra) are available here.
  • Locking instructions for solvents with multiple types of 2H (CD3OD).
  • Instructions for Fluorine and Phosphorus acquisition (Varian 300 adobe image) (Bruker adobe image)
  • Here is an overview for doing 2D (COSY, ROESY, TOCSY, NOESY, HMBC, HSQC and HMQC) on the Varians adobe image.
  • Varian Instruction Manuals from the University of Minnesota Chemistry Department NMR Facility. Well thought out and well organized. These are really great!
  • How to calibrate a 90o pulse is available here (Varian adobe image) (Bruker adobe image).
  • How to perform a T1 analysis. (Varian adobe image) (Bruker).
  • How to gradient shim your sample (Varian adobe image) (Bruker 600 adobe image).
    • Homospoil gradient shimming the Varian can be found here.
  • Simple 1st-order kinetics are outlined here (Varian adobe image) (Bruker adobe image).
  • Simple water suppression experiment using PRESAT (Varian adobe image).
    • Other solvent suppression techniques include BINOM, JUMPRET, and WATERGATE.
    • Selective suppression (or excitation) using shaped pulses (Varian adobe image)
  • A simple 1H decoupling experiment (HOMODEC). (Varian adobe image) (Bruker).
  • How to run a DEPT experiment is here (Varian adobe image) (Bruker adobe image).
  • Instructions to run a TOCSY are here (Varian adobe image) (Bruker adobe image).
    • How to phase a 2D spectrum (Varian).
    • How to plot a 2D spectrum (Varian).
  • Guidelines to perform a ROESY experiment are here (Varian) (Brukeradobe image).
  • How to perform a NOESY experiment can be found here (Varian) (Bruker adobe image).
  • How to run a COSY on the Brukers can be found here.
  • Get your HETCOR instructions here (Varian adobe image) (Bruker adobe image).
  • The HMBC instruction sheet is available here (Varian) (Bruker).
  • The HSQC instruction sheet is available here (Varian adobe image) (Bruker).
  • The HMQC experiment is described here (Varian adobe image) (Brukeradobe image).
  • Quick tips for running a GCOSY (Varians adobe image).
    • A more detailed description can be found here adobe image.
  • Quick outline for running an NOE-Diff experiment (Varian adobe image) (Brukeradobe image ).
  • I need to do some deuterium NMR. How do I set up the experiment? How do I tune the probe? Are there other considerations? (Varian 500) (Bruker 400 adobe image)
  • How do I increase nt during a run? How can I add more scans once the experiment has completed? These questions are both addressed here. (Varian adobe image)

Plotting, Printing & Exporting Tips: (these links are a mix of .pdf files and pop-up windows)

  • How can I export my spectrum into a graphics file? (Varian postscript .ps files) (Bruker adobe image .ps, .pdf, .jpg, .tif & .png files)
  • Instructions on how to convert your Varian data to the Bruker format, in order to use Topspin Plot Editor, can be obtained here adobe image.
  • Instructions on how to convert your Varian & Bruker data to the MestReC format can be obtained here adobe image.
  • Topspin Plot Editor Guide: University of Iowa
  • Instructions on how to plot multiple spectra on one page can be obtained here. (Varian adobe image) (Bruker: Use Topspin Plot Editor program)
  • Instructions on how to make a white washed stacked plot can be found here. (Varian adobe image) (Bruker: Use Topspin Plot Editor program)
  • How do I make insets? (Varian) (Bruker: Use Topspin Plot Editor program)
  • Can I import my spectrum into a spreadsheet (Excel, Sigmaplot, Origin, etc)? Check these links. (Varian) (Bruker).
  • Here are a list of common printing and plotting commands used with the Varian software.

Instrument Problems and Curiosities? (most of these quick tips will open a small pop-up window)

  • The colors are flashing in the CDE. What's wrong? (Varian)
  • The variable temperature (VT) unit isn't working. What's wrong? (Varian) (Bruker)
  • My sample won't spin. Find out why here.
  • What are Pulsed Field Gradients (PFG's)?
  • Having problems with probe tuning? Check out this excerpt from the October 14th 2002 edition of Varian VNR News. You'll be tuning like a pro in no time!
  • What is the relaxation time? What's the difference between T1 and T2?
  • How do I unlock an experiment that's locked? (Varian)
  • Something is wrong with the spectrometer. ( I can't lock.)
    • Click here to take a graphical tour on how to lock the Varians.
  • My sample won't shim. (Varian and Bruker)
    • If you would like more information on shimming here are a few online resources gathered by Adrienne B. Hoeglund through the AMMRL...
      • A paper by Gerald A. Pearson at the University of Iowa can be found here.
      • A nice little tutorial at the University of Saskatchewan can be found here.
      • And the classic "Shimming Ain't Magic" paper at Acorn NMR Inc. can be found here.
  • Which spectrometer should I use for carbon? Click here.
  • What the heck is apodization?
  • How does 'resolution enhancement' work?
  • What is the Fourier number (fn)?
  • What does the "ADC overflow" error message mean? (Varian)
  • All of my 13C signals are split into multiplets. Click here. These tips are good for both the Bruker and Varian NMR spectrometers.
  • I have integral concerns. What can I do to "improve" my values? (Varian)
  • I need to run my spectra at a higher field to get better resolution. (Not necessarily true.)

NMR Sample Prep and Tube Care:


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