NMRNMR
NMRNMR
NMR
NMR uses energy in the radio frequency
range.
This energy is too low to cause changes in
electron energy levels or in the vibrations
of molecules.
NMR can cause changes in the spin of
particles in the nucleus of some atoms.
Protons, neutrons and electrons spin on their
axes in either an up or down direction. For this
technique, the movement of electrons is not
relevant.
In many nuclei, the number of nucleons is even;
the spins are paired and cancel each other out.
In atoms like 1H and 13C, there is an overall spin.
In the presence of a strong magnetic field,
the tiny magnetic field due to spinning
charged particles aligns to be either with
or against the magnetic field.
More nucleons will be in the lower energy
state aligned with the magnetic field.
A nucleon can absorb a quantum of
energy in the radio frequency range and
align against the magnetic field.
It emits a radio frequency when it drops
back to its original position.
Proton NMR
The most common for of NMR is based on
the hydrogen-1 (1H), nucleus or proton.
It can give information about the structure
of any molecule containing hydrogen
atoms.
Complex biochemical molecules have a
large number of carbon atoms so NMR
using the 13C isotope is often also used.
The difference in energy of the two spin
states depends on :
The nucleus being screened ( 1H or 13C)
The other atoms around the nucleus.
These can shield the nucleus and change
the amount of energy needed to change
its spin. (H in CH3 will absorb a different
frequency from H in CH2)
To standardise measurements on different NMR
instruments, a standard reference sample is
used in each experiment. This is
tetramethylsilane (TMS).
3
J Coupling; n+1 = triplet
J Coupling;
3
n+1 = quartet
Understanding & Identifying Molecular
Structure
NMR Spectroscopy
1
H NMR - Sample Spectra; CH3CHClCOOH
3
J Coupling; n+1 = doublet
3
J Coupling; n+1 = quartet
Worked Example 7.6
Page 101
Understanding & Identifying Molecular
Structure
NMR Spectroscopy
Sample Question
Q. How could 1H NMR be used to distinguish between the two
following isomers?
H NO2
H2
C NO2
C
H3C C
H2 H3C CH3
1-nitropropane 2-nitropropane
Understanding & Identifying Molecular
Structure
NMR Spectroscopy
Sample Question
Q. How could 1H NMR be used to distinguish between the two
following isomers?
2. 1. Triplet.
H2
1. C NO2 2. Sextet.
H3C C
3. H2 3. Triplet.
1-nitropropane
Understanding & Identifying Molecular
Structure
NMR Spectroscopy
Sample Question
Q. How could 1H NMR be used to distinguish between the two
following isomers?
2.
H NO2
1. Doublet.
1. C
2. Septet.
H3C 3. CH3
3. Doublet.
2-nitropropane
13
C NMR Spectroscopy
Carbon-13 is a naturally occurring isotope of
carbon that has nuclear spin. It is used in NMR
spectroscopy to identify different carbon atoms
environments within a molecule.
Chemical shifts range from 0ppm to 200ppm
The peaks in the spectrum are a single line
produced for each different carbon atom
environment.
Compare the two spectra for ethanol.
C NMR spectroscopy
13
Steps for analysing NMR spectra
1. Look at the number of peak sets and hence
the number of different environments
2. The chemical shift for each peak set
3. The relative number of protons in each peak
set (from the relative peak area)
4. The number of fine peaks each major peak set
is split into
5. Determine the relative number of hydrogens in
each environment
6. The protons responsible for each peak set and
the carbon to which they are bonded
Your Turn
Page 105
Question 17 and 18
Page 107
Question 32
Page 108
Question 33
Page 109
Question 40