Chemistry
Determining the Structure of Organic Molecules Using NMR Spectroscopy
Quick fact
¹H NMR can distinguish between structural isomers that have identical molecular formulas based solely on the electronic environment of their hydrogen atoms; for example, ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) gives three distinct proton signals while dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃) gives only one.
Why this is interesting
You have a vial of white powder and a mass spectrum that gives you its molecular formula—but how do you know which of many possible structures it is? NMR spectroscopy answers that question every day in chemistry labs.