Charlie Fry

• B.S. 1978, University of Arizona
• Ph.D. 1985, Iowa State University

Research Description:

The primary focus of my work is to provide state-of-the-art NMR instrumentation to support research and research-directed education in chemistry. Our facilities are exceptional in their support of multinuclear and variable temperature studies that are key characterization techniques for synthetic and mechanistic chemistry. We have recently made tremendous improvements in our capabilities for studying carbon-13 and fluorine-19, and we are working to obtain similar improvements with other nuclei such as oxygen-17.

Unique methods for obtaining very fast kinetic data by NMR at high pressure and variable temperatures are being established. We are soon to update, through a large grant from NIH, our capabilities in support of light-driven chemistry, especially in the area of chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization. New capabilities for high sample throughput on the spectrometers enable reaction and biochemical screening.

These capabilities provide efficient and safe use of high-field NMR to novice users, including large numbers of undergraduates. Use of the NMR facility by undergraduates performing research projects and in credited laboratory courses has increased considerably.

Overall, these efforts have greatly expanded the facility’s capabilities and use, which has improved our ability to assist corporate research endeavors.