(no subject)

[yubsie]

I just got a gorgeous boron NMR for my new compound. THis huge sharp peak EXACTLY where I want it, it's not a "Well, if you use your imagination, that little wibble in this area looks like a peak" thing, it's absolutely definitely what I want.

Now, if I could just get it isolated, that would make me a happy Ewok.

Comments

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that I have no idea what an NMR is. Can you tell me?

[yubsie]

It stands for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

Basically, I put the sample in a giant magnet (it's big and shiny and SO COOL!) and the magnetic field messes around with the nuclei of the atoms in the sample. Then the magnet is turned off and the nuclei go back to a lower energy level. How fast they do this changes based on what the atoms are connected to in the structure.

It gives a signal that shows up in different places, and based on where the peaks show up, I can figure out the structure of my compound. In this case, if my product has formed I get a boron peak around nine, when the starting material peak is around twenty. I just got a HUGE peak at nine, which means my reaction very definitely worked. :p

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I bow at you and your amazing knowledge of science!

Seriously -- cool. I never had much of a head for science myself so I admire it in those who are brainy in this way.

[yubsie]

After using the technology for a few years, I'm FINALLY starting to understand the theory behind it. :p

[squallhighwind.livejournal.com]

I may have no idea what youre talking about (and probably never will fully :P) but congrats anyways!

*huggles*

[yubsie]

Hee