Magnetic circular dichroism studies XXXIV: Improved instrumentation for MCD measurements

The use of a 15-kG electromagnet in conjunction with a circular dichrometer of enhanced sensitivity affords MCD spectra of quality comparable to those obtained using a superconducting magnet and an instrument of lower sensitivity. To demonstrate this, the MCD spectra of zinc octaethylporphyrin, human serum albumin, a microsomal suspension containing cytochromes P-450 and b 5, adenine, and benzene in the vapor phase are reported. The convenience, economy of operation, and availability of electromagnets should be a major incentive for the utilization of this spectroscopic technique in a variety of potentially interesting areas in chemistry and biochemistry.