The aim of the course is to provide the basic knowledge to have structural and dynamic information on molecules. The main technique is NMR spectroscopy (NMR). The course is made up of different modules: introduction, product operator formalism, building blocks constituting NMR experiments, ``tips and tricks'' to optimize experimental set-up, the instrumentation, the spins beyond protons. The course is constituted by lectures and practical sessions in front of advanced instrumentation.
A variety of textbooks describing the basics of NMR at various levels are available. These are presented to the students on occasion of the first lecture.
The powerpoint presentations used during the course are made available to the students.
Learning Objectives
The course will begin with an overview on the spectroscopic methods to access structural and dynamic information on molecules containing metal ions. The course will then discuss in detail the structural and dynamic information that can be obtained through NMR spectroscopy, one of the most powerful experimental techniques available nowdays to study at atomic resolution complex macromolecules in different aggregation states.
Prerequisites
Courses required: none
Courses recommended:
Advanced
Teaching Methods
Total number of hours for Lectures (hours): 38
Total number of hours for Laboratory-field practice : 12
Further information
nothing
Type of Assessment
Several practical sessions to monitor how the students follow the course are planned.
The final exam is constituted by an oral examination. The exam starts through the discussion on a small research on a topic chosen from three proposed.
The minimal number of sessions is guaranteed and the teacher is ready to include additional dates to meet the students’ needs.
Course program
The course consists of different modules. 1. Introduction and overview on the various spectroscopic techniques to study macromolecules containing metal ions and their interactions (common aspects and differences, information that can be obtained, resolution). 2 Brief summary of the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (that should be already known). 3. Overview on the modern NMR in solution (multidimensional, multinuclear resonance) and basic principles. 4. NMR spectroscopy in the solid state: basic concepts and applications. 5. The NMR observables: chemical shifts, relaxation rates (auto-, cross-, e cross correlation), scalar and dipolar couplings, additional observables deriving from the presence of a paramagnetic center. Determination and use to access atomic resolution structural and dynamic information.
6. Design of new experiments.