The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Unit (UE-RMN for its initials in Spanish) is the result of a strategic alliance between the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) and the Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio), and its goal is to offer specialized very high level services to industry, the academic and governmental sectors, and to the general public. The Unit is located in the UCR's School of Chemistry where it was established with the support of the CRUSA Foundation.

The UE-RMN is equipped with a Varian Mercury 400 MHz spectrometer. This equipment can measure 1H, 19F, 31P, 13C spectra and any other nuclei up to a 15N frequency. The instrument is equipped with a variable temperature unit with an operating range that spans from -100 °C to +100 °C, a field gradient accessory, an inverse (indirect) detection probe and a normal mode (direct) detection probe.

Apart from the routine one-dimensional spectra, two-dimensional spectra can be easily obtained, such as COSY, NOESY, HMBC, HMQC, HSQC, TOCSY, etc.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a non-destructive technique that enables analysis of organic and some inorganic compounds. Through it the identity of the vast majority of known and unknown organic compounds can be deduced. Only a few milligrams of substance are needed in order to run an analysis.

In contrast with other analysis techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy or chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance provides a non-ambiguous identification of compounds.

Because of its versatility and the wealth of information it provides, it is the most widely used technique for the identification of new organic compounds.

The range of possible applications of nuclear magnetic resonance is too broad to incorporate a complete list, but some applications include:

• Verification of the degree of purity of raw materials.
• Analysis of drugs and pharmaceuticals.
• Development of chemical products.
• Quality control for chemical products.
• Chemical reaction research.
• Identification of unknown substances.
• Polymer analysis.

The services provided by the Unit are very varied. Some of the most common ones are listed below:

• 1D spectroscopy of other nuclei.
• Low or high temperature spectroscopy (from -100 °C to +100 °C).
  
• Normal mode or inverse detection two-dimensional spectroscopy:
  • COSY
  • NOESY
  • TOCSY
  • HMBC
  • HMQC
  • HSQ

For further information regarding services and cost, you may contact: