Abstract

Magnetic spin resonance techniques are among the most powerful methods available for determining primary structure, conformation, and local dynamic properties of molecules in liquid, solid, and even gas phases. Both organic and inorganic species can be studied.

An overview of nuclear magnetic and electron spin resonance spectroscopy theory, equipment, and practice is presented. Theory is briefly reviewed, giving particular attention to the differences between the two techniques. The basic modules comprising a magnetic resonance spectrometer, function, and limitations are discussed. One-dimensional and multidimensional experiments for both the most common nmr nuclei, ¹H and ¹³C as well as several less commonly studied species, are described. Applications of nmr studies to larger molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and other polymers both in solution and in the solid state are mentioned, and a brief description of EPR experiments is included. References are given for all areas. This article is current through summer 1994 except for the use of gradient field spectroscopy.