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Multiple Choice
How many distinct signals would you expect to observe in the NMR spectrum of (1-butanol)?
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the molecular structure of 1-butanol: CH3-CH2-CH2-OH. It is a straight-chain alcohol with four carbon atoms.
Determine the symmetry and chemical environment of each carbon atom. In 1-butanol, each carbon is in a unique environment because they are bonded to different groups (methyl, methylene, and the carbon attached to the hydroxyl group).
Assign each carbon a distinct environment: the terminal methyl carbon (CH3), the two different methylene carbons (CH2) in the chain, and the carbon bonded to the OH group.
Since each carbon is in a unique environment, each will give rise to a separate signal in the \(^{13}C\) NMR spectrum.
Conclude that the number of distinct \(^{13}C\) NMR signals expected is equal to the number of unique carbon environments, which is four for 1-butanol.