Introduction:
Spectroscopy
problems, and in particular ones involving NMR, are an exceptionally
daunting aspect of organic chemistry for most students, in
part because it is such unfamiliar territory, most overwhelmed
by the messy jungle of peaks and integrations on a spectrum.
A rare few have the ability to reason spectroscopy problems
quickly and with little analysis. This tutorial is not
for such spectroscopy geniuses. This is for the other
99.9% of those who struggle with such problems, who find deciphering
an NMR spectrum roughly equivalent to a kindergartner attempting
to read and understand Moby Dick.
This is
not a definitive guide, as there is no magic formula, no "right
way" to solve for organic structures using spectroscopy.
The following technique, however, broken down into 6 steps
relying on common sense and a methodical approach, has proven
quite effective, at least for the types of problems encountered
in a standard sophomore organic course. If you don't understand
the steps as you read them, the example following should make
it clear as to how to apply them.
Approach
to NMR spectroscopy problems:
Essentially,
this technique uses:
1. the
integration and IR spectrum (if applicable) to find the fragments
of the compound
2. the splitting to figure out how to put those fragments
together, and
3. the chemical shift to confirm the proposed structure.
Continue
Tutorial :: On
to the six steps!
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