Practice Problem: Assigning Molecular Structure From an NMR Spectrum

Professor Dave Explains
29 Apr 201607:17
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis video script offers a detailed tutorial on analyzing NMR spectroscopy for a compound with the empirical formula C4H9Br. It guides viewers through identifying structural isomers, using peak integration and splitting patterns to deduce the compound's structure. The script simplifies the process by either drawing all possible isomers or piecing together fragments from the NMR spectrum, ultimately assigning peaks to specific protons and elucidating the molecule's structure.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 The video discusses NMR spectroscopy and its use in determining the structure of a compound with the empirical formula C4H9Br.
  • πŸ” The compound has different structural isomers, and the goal is to identify the correct structure based on the NMR spectrum.
  • πŸ“Š The NMR spectrum provided has a doublet integrating to 2, a multiplet integrating to 1, and another doublet integrating to 6.
  • πŸ“š It is suggested to watch a tutorial on NMR spectroscopy first if the concepts are confusing.
  • πŸ€” One approach to solving the problem is to write out all possible structural isomers for the given empirical formula.
  • 🧩 There are only four structural isomers for C4H9Br, simplifying the task of identifying the correct structure.
  • πŸ”Ž The number of peaks in the NMR spectrum can help narrow down which isomer is being analyzed.
  • πŸ”¬ Chemically equivalent protons on the same carbon will give different peaks, which is a key factor in determining the structure.
  • πŸ”„ The rotation of certain groups can affect the chemical environment and thus the NMR peaks.
  • πŸ“‰ The integration and splitting of peaks, along with their chemical shift, can be used to assign specific protons in the compound.
  • πŸ’¬ The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of using empirical formulas, integration, splitting, and chemical shift data to piece together the structure from an NMR spectrum.
Q & A
  • What is the empirical formula of the compound being discussed in the video?

    -The empirical formula of the compound being discussed is C4H9Br.

  • What is the significance of the integration values in an NMR spectrum?

    -The integration values in an NMR spectrum indicate the number of protons contributing to a particular peak, which helps in determining the structure of the compound.

  • What is the first approach suggested in the video for determining the structure of a compound from its NMR spectrum?

    -The first approach suggested is to write every possible structural isomer that corresponds to the empirical formula and then match these with the NMR spectrum.

  • How many structural isomers are there for the empirical formula C4H9Br according to the video?

    -There are only four structural isomers for the empirical formula C4H9Br.

  • What is the second approach mentioned in the video for analyzing an NMR spectrum?

    -The second approach is to generate fragments of data from the NMR spectrum, using integration, splitting, and chemical shift data to piece together the structure.

  • Why is it useful to consider the chemical environment of protons when analyzing an NMR spectrum?

    -Considering the chemical environment of protons helps in determining the splitting patterns and the chemical shifts of the peaks, which are crucial for identifying the structure of the compound.

  • What type of peak is expected for a methyl group in an NMR spectrum?

    -A methyl group typically shows a peak that integrates to 3 in an NMR spectrum.

  • How does the video suggest determining the structure of the compound with the NMR spectrum?

    -The video suggests determining the structure by matching the number of peaks and their integration values in the NMR spectrum with the possible structural isomers.

  • What is the significance of the chemical shift in determining the position of a peak in an NMR spectrum?

    -The chemical shift helps in identifying the relative position of a peak in the NMR spectrum, as protons closer to electronegative atoms like bromine will be further downfield.

  • Why is it easier to call a complex splitting pattern a 'multiplet' rather than specifying the exact number of peaks?

    -When the number of neighboring protons is high, the splitting pattern becomes complex and difficult to count, so it is more practical to refer to it as a multiplet.

  • How does the video conclude the structure of the compound based on the NMR spectrum?

    -The video concludes the structure by assigning the peaks based on their integration values, splitting patterns, and chemical shifts, ultimately matching them with one of the possible structural isomers.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ§ͺ Analyzing NMR Spectroscopy for C4H9Br Compounds

The video script begins by introducing the task of analyzing an NMR spectrum for a compound with the empirical formula C4H9Br. The goal is to determine the structure of the compound based on the spectrum, which includes a doublet integrating to 2, a multiplet integrating to 1, and another doublet integrating to 6. The speaker suggests watching a tutorial on NMR spectroscopy for a better understanding. They then proceed to draw possible structural isomers based on the empirical formula, narrowing down to four potential structures. The focus is on identifying the correct structure by matching the number of peaks in the spectrum to the expected number of peaks for each isomer. The correct structure is deduced by analyzing the integration and splitting patterns of the peaks, ultimately leading to the conclusion that the compound likely has a specific arrangement of carbons and a bromine atom.

05:02
πŸ” Assigning Peaks in NMR Spectrum of C4H9Br

In the second paragraph, the script continues the discussion on NMR spectroscopy, focusing on assigning peaks to specific protons in the compound. The speaker explains how to use integration, splitting patterns, and chemical shifts to identify the structure. They assign the peaks by labeling them A, B, and C, based on their integration values and proximity to neighboring protons. The methyl groups are identified as having a doublet due to their identical chemical environment, while the single proton is characterized by a complex multiplet due to its neighboring protons. The closest protons to the bromine are expected to be the furthest downfield, helping to assign the peaks. The speaker concludes by summarizing the method of using empirical formulas to draw structural isomers or piecing together the structure from the NMR spectrum itself, encouraging viewers to subscribe for more tutorials and reach out for further assistance.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘NMR spectroscopy
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique used to determine the structure of organic compounds by analyzing the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei in a molecule. In the video, the focus is on using NMR spectroscopy to identify the structure of a compound with the empirical formula C4H9Br. The script discusses how the NMR spectrum can help in distinguishing between different structural isomers of the compound.
πŸ’‘Empirical formula
The empirical formula of a compound is a simple expression of the ratio of atoms of each element in the compound. In the context of the video, the empirical formula C4H9Br is used to identify the compound and to determine its possible structural isomers. The script mentions that different isomers can correspond to the same empirical formula, which is why NMR spectroscopy is crucial for structural determination.
πŸ’‘Structural isomers
Structural isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in space. The video script discusses how to identify the correct structural isomer of a compound with the formula C4H9Br by analyzing its NMR spectrum. The script provides examples of how different arrangements of carbon and bromine atoms can lead to different isomers.
πŸ’‘Integration
In NMR spectroscopy, integration refers to the area under a peak, which corresponds to the number of protons contributing to that peak. The script mentions that the integration of peaks in the NMR spectrum can help determine the number of protons in a particular environment, which is crucial for deducing the structure of the compound.
πŸ’‘Multiplet
A multiplet in NMR spectroscopy is a complex splitting pattern of a peak that arises due to the interaction of a proton with its neighboring protons. The video script describes a peak that integrates to 1 and has a complex splitting pattern, which is referred to as a multiplet. This term is used to describe the complexity of the peak due to the presence of multiple neighboring protons.
πŸ’‘Doublet
A doublet in NMR spectroscopy is a peak that results from the splitting of a signal into two parts due to the interaction with a neighboring proton. The script mentions a doublet that integrates to 6, indicating that there are six protons in the same chemical environment, each interacting with a neighboring proton.
πŸ’‘Chemical shift
Chemical shift in NMR spectroscopy refers to the variation in the resonance frequency of a nucleus in a molecule due to the influence of its local electronic environment. The video script discusses how the chemical shift can be used to determine the relative position of protons in the molecule, with protons closer to electronegative atoms like bromine appearing further downfield.
πŸ’‘Deshielding
Deshielding in NMR spectroscopy is the effect that causes a nucleus to resonate at a lower magnetic field (higher frequency) than it would in a different environment. The script mentions that the presence of a bromine atom, which is electronegative, can cause deshielding, affecting the chemical shift of nearby protons and making them appear downfield in the NMR spectrum.
πŸ’‘Methyl group
A methyl group is a chemical group consisting of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms (CH3). The video script uses the integration of peaks to infer the presence of methyl groups in the compound, as peaks integrating to 3 often indicate a methyl group.
πŸ’‘Fragments
In the context of the video, fragments refer to parts of the NMR spectrum that can be used to piece together the structure of the compound. The script suggests using the integration, splitting, and chemical shift data from the NMR spectrum to generate fragments of information that can help in determining the structure of the compound.
πŸ’‘Chemical environment
The chemical environment of a proton in a molecule refers to the local electronic and steric conditions that affect its NMR properties. The script discusses how protons in the same chemical environment will resonate at the same frequency, leading to the same peak in the NMR spectrum. This concept is crucial for understanding the structure of the compound based on the NMR data.
Highlights

Today's problem involves analyzing an NMR spectrum for a compound with the empirical formula C4H9Br.

Different structural isomers can correspond to the empirical formula C4H9Br.

The NMR spectrum has a doublet integrating to 2, a multiplet integrating to 1, and a doublet integrating to 6.

A tutorial on NMR spectroscopy is recommended for those finding the analysis confusing.

There are four structural isomers for the empirical formula C4H9Br.

The straight chain with bromine on a primary carbon is one possible isomer.

A secondary carbon with bromine is another possible isomer.

A tertiary carbon with bromine is a third possible isomer.

A primary carbon on the edge with bromine is the fourth possible isomer.

The number of peaks in the spectrum helps in identifying the correct isomer.

Chemically equivalent protons on the same carbon give different peaks.

All nine methyl protons in one isomer are equivalent, leading to only one peak.

The correct structure is likely the one where the methyl groups are identical and the protons see one hydrogen next door.

Fragments of data from the NMR spectrum can be used to generate the structure.

Peaks integrating to 3 often indicate a methyl group.

Peaks integrating to 6 might suggest two identical methyl groups.

A peak integrating to 2 typically represents a CH2 group.

The methyl groups are identical because they see the same chemical environment.

The peak with integration to 6 and furthest upfield is assigned to peak C.

The proton with integration to 1 and a complex splitting pattern is assigned to peak B.

The two protons with integration to 2 and closest to the bromine are assigned to peak A.

The empirical formula can be used to draw all possible structural isomers or the NMR spectrum can be pieced together using integration, splitting, and chemical shift data.

Transcripts
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