7.3.1
Understanding NMR
Basic NMR Principles
Basic NMR Principles
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a widely used analytical technique for the characterisation of organic compounds.


Information given by NMR spectra
Information given by NMR spectra
- An NMR spectrum gives information about the environments and positions of hydrogen and carbon atoms in a molecule.
- This makes it a very powerful analytical tool for chemists.


Overall spin
Overall spin
- In NMR, we can only analyse nuclei that have an overall spin.
- These are nuclei that have an odd nucleon number.
- The nucleon number is equal to the number of protons + number of neutrons.
- 13C and 1H are both examples of such nuclei. This is why these isotopes are commonly used for NMR.
- The nucleon number of 13C is 13.
- The nucleon number of 1H is 1.


External magnetic field
External magnetic field
- In NMR spectroscopy, we place a sample substance into a magnetic field.
- As we've said, the nuclei of the substance have an overall spin.
- This means that the nuclei are each very small magnetic fields themselves.
- The nuclei can interact with the externally applied magnetic field that they are sitting in.
- The overall nuclear spin can either spin with or against the external magnetic field.
NMR Theory
NMR Theory
We will now consider what causes the signals produced in NMR spectra. Remember the NMR can either be 1H NMR or 13C NMR.


Nuclei in a magnetic field
Nuclei in a magnetic field
- The nuclei sit in a magnetic field and some of their overall spins will spin with the magnetic field and some will spin against the field.
- We call whether they spin with or against the field different spin states.
- The nuclei spinning with the magnetic field are lower in energy.
- The nuclei spinning against the magnetic field are higher in energy.


Energy difference
Energy difference
- The nuclei can exist as either of two spin states which are of different energies.
- So energy must be gained or lost for a nucleus to change its spin state.
- We say there is an energy gap between the two spin states.


Energy gap
Energy gap
- The energy gap between the two spin states corresponds to energy in the radio frequency region.
- So we use radio waves to change the nuclear spin state of the nuclei.


NMR signals
NMR signals
- Transitions between nuclear spin states appear as signals in the NMR spectrum.
- In 1H NMR, the signals represent the 1H nuclei transitioning spin state.
- In 13C NMR, the signals represent the 13C nuclei transitioning spin state.


Different chemical environments
Different chemical environments
- The exact energy and frequency of radio waves needed to change the nuclear spin state is different in different chemical environments.
- So different NMR signals represent nuclei positioned in different chemical environments.
- In 1H NMR, each signal represents a 1H in a different chemical environment.
- In 13C NMR, each signal represents a 13C in a different chemical environment.
Chemical Shifts
Chemical Shifts
NMR spectra display signals at specific chemical shift values. The chemical shift is the values that appear on the x-axis of the spectrum.


NMR signals
NMR signals
- As we've seen, a transition of nuclei between spin states causes a specific signal.
- Nuclei in the same environment will produce the same signal.
- For 1H NMR, 1Hs in the same environment produce the same signal.
- For 13C NMR, 13Cs in the same environment produce the same signal.


Chemical shifts
Chemical shifts
- A signal appears on the spectrum at a specific point along the x-axis. This is the chemical shift value.
- Nuclei in the same environment will produce a signal at the same chemical shift value.
- Overall when we read a spectrum, we can say that each different signal, of a particular chemical shift along the x-axis, represents a nucleus in a different environment.


Chemical shift notation
Chemical shift notation
- The sign for a chemical shift is δ.
- The units of chemical shift is ppm.
- This stands for parts per million.


Chemical shift tables
Chemical shift tables
- A table of chemical shift values, for both 1H and 13C, has been made.
- This shows possible chemical shift values for a particular 1H or 13C environment.
- E.g. A 1H in an alcohol is a specific environment. ROH signals are found between 0.5δppm to 5.0δppm.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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