Introductory Organic Chemistry Spectroscopy

In this course, you will learn the basic concepts of Mass Spectrometry, IR Spectroscopy, H-NMR, C-NMR, and their applications to identify the structures of organic compounds. Mass Spectrometry: Sample molecules are ionized by high energy electrons. The mass to charge ratio of these ions and the molecular weight of the molecule are measured.

Also, Ion fragmentation patterns may be related to the structure of the molecule. • Infrared Spectroscopy (IR): Absorption of this lower energy radiation causes vibrational and rotational excitation of groups of atoms within the molecule. Because of their characteristic absorptions, identification of various functional groups is easily achieved.

The presence of the functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, nitriles, amines, and amides can be verified by IR spectroscopy. IR is also used to monitor the progress of Organic Reactions. • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR): Absorption in the low-energy radio-frequency part of the spectrum causes excitation of nuclear spin states.

High-resolution H-NMR and C-NMR spectra distinguish H and C atoms in different locations in the molecule. Using H-NMR and C-NMR, you can verify the molecular structure and differentiate the structural isomers, for instance, between propanol and ethyl methyl ether. Also, using the coupling constants, you might distinguish the geometrical isomers such cis and trans isomers.