What Is NMR Spectroscopy? - 3.15

A Level Analytical Techniques (AQA)

In this course, Dr Noha Ziedan (University of Chester) talks to us about key analytical techniques used in your A-level specification. We begin by (i) looking at NMR spectroscopy and learning its fundamental principles that allows it to work (Topic 19B); such as (ii) number of signals (Topic 19B); (iii) chemical shift (Topic 19B); (iv) integration values (Topic 19B); and (v) spin-spin coupling (Topic 19B); before looking at two sample compounds: (vi) 1,1-dibromopropane (Topic 19B); and (vii) ethyl acetate (Topic 19B); and then move onto (viii) infrared spectroscopy as a method of analysis (Topic 7B); and (ix) how we can use it to identify functional groups in three different organic compounds (Topic 7B); and (x) understand using the same principles how greenhouse gases heat the planet; before (xi) moving onto mass spectrometry (Topic 7A); and finally (xii) understand what a mass spectrum can tell us about a compound (Topic 7A).

What Is NMR Spectroscopy? - 3.15

In this lecture, we begin our discussion of analytical techniques by focusing on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (Topic 3.15). We learn about the fundamental principles that NMR spectroscopy relies on, such as the interaction between spinning nuclei and applied magnetic fields, causing nuclei to align with or against the magnetic field. When irradiated with radiofrequency radiation, nuclei absorb energy, flipping their alignment. This energy difference is measured as chemical shifts in parts per million on the x-axis of an NMR spectrum, revealing structural information about the molecules. Proton NMR and Carbon-13 NMR are explored as essential nuclei for analysis.