Centre for the Spectroscopic Investigation of Complex Organic Molecules and Polymers; CSICOMP NMR Facility

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
What the facility does

Spectroscopic characterization of molecular structure and analytical services using solution-state NMR, solid-state NMR and EPR

Areas of expertise

NMR spectroscopy is one of the most powerful and versatile spectroscopic techniques for investigating molecular structures and spans many disciplines, from life sciences to material sciences to chemical syntheses.
The Centre for the Spectroscopic Investigation of Complex Organic Molecules and Polymers (CSICOMP) facility is one of the best-equipped facilities in Canada, with nine available NMR spectrometers from 200 MHz to 700 MHz. Two of the systems have cryogenically cooled probes for highest sensitivity, with one optimized for carbon detection and the other, proton and fluorine detection.
The facility has one EPR X-band spectrometer. EPR is a very sensitive spectroscopic technique that relies on unpaired electrons, such as those in free radicals or high-spin metal complexes, to give important structural information. EPR also has applications in dosimetry, investigating the spoiling of food stuffs, defects in nano materials and radical reaction monitoring.
We are available for consultation, for research support, and collaboration. We do EPR and NMR data collection, processing, and interpretation. For those who prefer to conduct their own measurements, we also train clients on routine and advanced NMR and EPR techniques.

Research services

Nuclear magnetic resonance, proton NMR, carbon NMR, multinuclear NMR, liquid state NMR, 2D and 3D nuclear magnetic resonance, solid state NMR, electron spin resonance (ESR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), dosimetry, chemical structure elucidation, purity, molecular dynamics, metabolite analysis, polymer end group determination and tacticity, deformulation, metabolomics, kinetics, relaxation measurements, analytics, biomolecular NMR, spin trapping, training

Sectors of application
  • Chemical industries
  • Clean technology
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Manufacturing and processing
  • Mining, minerals and metals
  • Ocean industries
Specialized lab Equipment Function
CSICOMP EPR (ESR) Facility Bruker CW X-band EMXplus EPR

Resonator for routine EPR  (ER 4119HS). Liquid helium temperature control to 4 K. Liquid nitrogen temperature control from 80 to 500 K. Good for dosimetry, detecting free radicals, radical trapping, high spin metal complexes.

Resonator for aqueous samples (ER4123D), with optical opening for light irradiation and TPX capillaries for N2/O2 relaxation studies.

CSICOMP NMR Facility Agilent Mercury 200 MHz NMR Routine screening, proton and phosphorus NMR. Walk up use for internal and external clients.
  Agilent Mercury 300 MHz NMR

Routine screening, proton, fluorine, carbon and phosphorus NMR.

With a 100-tube robotic sample changer. Walk up use for internal and external clients.

  Agilent Mercury 400 MHz NMR

Routine screening, proton, fluorine and carbon NMR. Standard 2D sequences available (COSY, HMQC, ROESY, NOESY).

With a 100-tube robotic sample changer. Walk up use for internal and external clients.

  Agilent VNMRS 400 MHz NMR Routine multinucleus probe for liquids NMR. Nuclei include: 1H, 19F, 13C, 7Li, 11B, 27Al, 31P, 29Si, 77Se, 113Cd, 195Pt. All standard 1D and 2D gradient experiments available. Variable temperature capable to -80°C.
  Agilent DD2 500 MHz NMR

Routine multinucleus probe for liquids NMR. All standard 1D and 2D gradient experiments available.

Protasis 10 µL flow probe for extremely small volumes, good for proton and 2D experiments.

  Agilent DD2 500 MHz NMR Extremely sensitive cryogenically cooled probe for optimized for both carbon and proton detection, and 2D experiments. With 96 tube robotic sample changer. Ideal for all 2D NMR experiments, either proton or carbon detected. Ideal for polymer end group analysis or tacticity.
  Agilent DD2 600 MHz NMR

Solids and Liquids NMR capable. Multinucleus probes for liquids NMR. 12-sample robotic sample changer.

Ideal for 2D NMR experiments, such as COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC, CIGAR, EXSIDE. Diffusion studies and DOSY. Low frequency probes for 103Rh, direct or indirect through 31P observe.

3.2-mm and 1.6 mm solids rotors for solid state NMR experiments.

  Agilent DD2 700 MHz NMR

HFCN cryogenically cooled probe optimized for biological and protein NMR. Temperature 0-80°C With 96 tube robotic sample changer.

HFX probe with extremely low 19F background, ideal for perfluorinated polymers and other compounds

HR MAS probe optimized for low sample heating and protein NMR.

19F detection FastNANO probe for vivo cell NMR.

1H detection FastNANO probe for vivo cell NMR.

1.6 mm solids rotors for solid state NMR experiments.

  Bruker Avance III 400 MHz NMR Routine multinucleus probe for liquids NMR. 1H, 19F, 13C, 7Li, 11B, 27Al, 31P, 29Si, 77Se, 113Cd, 195Pt. Can do H-F experiments (HOESY or decoupling) and routine 2D experiments. With 60 tube robotic sample changer.
  Off-line sample preparation system: HPLC-SPE-NMR tube Automatic purification and concentration of samples. Fractionation of samples by HPLC, collecting on SPE cartridges, then elution with deuterated solvent to NMR tube (3-mm or 5-mm).