Open access

Open-access

CRL NMR Inductions
 
For access to the CRL NMR facilities, you must register as a user and attend either an organic or inorganic NMR induction. Please contact the NMR staff mailing list (nmrstaff@maillist.chem.ox.ac.uk) regarding access to the registration form and to sign up for an induction session.
 
The open-access facilities provide rapid access to routine 1D and 2D spectra primarily involving 1H, 13C, 19F, and 31P nuclei. They are geared towards fast turnover and hence rapid sample throughput.
 
As a researcher in the CRL, you will be shown how to run spectra on the open-access machines in a basic training session, which must be completed before using these instruments. To arrange a training session, please contact the NMR staff list.
 
Samples requiring more complex analysis, or especially dilute samples, should be submitted to the NMR service (or you may be trained to do it yourself in hands-on mode).
 
The NMR Introductory and NMR Open Access Training 2024/25 lecture slides can be viewed here.

Open-access NMR Rules

There are a number of rules in place regarding use of the open access NMR spectrometers to ensure correct usage, the safety of users and fairness to all users.

 

  • No more than three samples at a time.
  • If queuing more than three samples, you must leave three space after every third sample.
  • Make sure your tube fits the blue spinner. If it is loose, try another one.
  • If it is loose on all spinners, get rid of the tube.
  • Ensure you are correctly labelling your NMR tube. Guidance of this is available in the open access NMR labs or from the NMR staff.

Safety based rules

  • Do not use short/broken/poor quality tubes.
    • Experience has shown that these are the tubes that will break in the machine, causing considerable down time. Staff regularly check and any poor-quality tubes are removed.
  • No lab coat, lab gloves or metal objects to be taken into the NMR labs.
  • Sample breakages must be dealt with immediately.
    • If the breakage is in or on the spectrometer, the NMR staff must be informed immediately.

Open-access spectrometers

 
The open-access setup comprises the following spectrometers. To view any of the history lists, copy and paste the link into a web browser (due to security reasons these cannot be hyperlinked); note that you will need to use a departmental login / VPN.
  • This spectrometer operates automatically and provides quick 1H spectra during the day (8 am–7 pm), as well as 13C, COSY, and HSQC experiments overnight.
    History list: file://chem.ox.ac.uk/SRF/NMR/AVG400/setup.html
  • This spectrometer operates automatically and provides quick 1H, 19F, and 31P spectra during the day (9 am–9 pm), as well as 13C, COSY, and HSQC experiments overnight.
    History list: file://chem.ox.ac.uk/SRF/NMR/AVH400/setup.html
  • This spectrometer acquires spectra automatically but with manual sample insertion; it only provides 1D 1H NMR spectra.
    History list: file://chem.ox.ac.uk/SRF/NMR/DPX200/setup.html
  • This spectrometer operates automatically and provides 1H, 13C, 19F, 31P, COSY, and HSQC experiments. Between 1 pm and 6 pm, the 1H, 31P, and some 19F experiments are prioritised.
    History list: file://chem.ox.ac.uk/SRF/NMR/AVF400/setup.html
  • This spectrometer operates automatically and provides quick 1H, 7Li, 11B, 19F, 27Na, 27Al, 31P, and COSY experiments during the day (8 am–7 pm), and additionally, HMBC experiments overnight. The autosampler accepts both normal and Young’s tap NMR tubes.
    History list: file://chem.ox.ac.uk/SRF/NMR/Hg400/setup.html
  • This spectrometer operates automatically and provides quick 1H, 7Li, 11B, 19F, 27Na, 27Al, 31P, and COSY experiments during the day (8 am–7 pm), and additionally, HMBC experiments overnight. The autosampler accepts both normal and Young’s tap NMR tubes.
    History list: file://chem.ox.ac.uk/SRF/NMR/Venus400/setup.html