Textbook Question
Explain why the chemical shift of the OH proton of a carboxylic acid is at a higher frequency than the chemical shift of an OH proton of an alcohol.
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Ch. 14 - NMR Spectroscopy
Bruice8th EditionOrganic ChemistryISBN: 9780135213711
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Remembering General Chemistry: Electronic Structure and Bonding (Part 1)31
- Ch. 1 - Remembering General Chemistry: Electronic Structure and Bonding (Part 2)65
- Ch. 2 - Acids and Bases: Central to Understanding Organic Chemistry84
- Ch. 3 - An Introduction to Organic Compounds:Nomenclature, Physical Properties, and Structure183
- Ch. 4 - Isomers: The Arrangement of Atoms in Space121
- Ch. 5 - Alkenes: Structure, Nomenclature, and an Introduction to Reactivity • Thermodynamics and Kinetics83
- Ch. 6 - The Reactions of Alkenes • The Stereochemistry of Addition Reactions175
- Ch. 7 - The Reactions of Alkynes • An Introduction to Multistep Synthesis119
- Ch. 8 - Delocalized Electrons: Their Effect on Stability, pKa, and the Products of a Reaction • Aromaticity and Electronic Effects: An Introduction to the Reactions of Benzene148
- Ch. 9 - Substitution and Elimination Reactions of Alkyl Halides212
- Ch. 10 - Reactions of Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides, Amines, and Sulfur-Containing Compounds131
- Ch. 11 - Organometallic Compounds60
- Ch. 12 - Radicals90
- Ch. 13 - Mass Spectrometry; Infrared Spectroscopy; UV/Vis Spectroscopy62
- Ch. 14 - NMR Spectroscopy95
- Ch. 15 - Reactions of Carboxylic Acids and Carboxylic Acid Derivatives123
- Ch. 16 - Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones • More Reactions of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives141
- Ch. 17 - Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon101
- Ch. 18 - Reactions of Benzene and Substituted Benzenes144
- Ch. 19 - More About Amines • Reactions of Heterocyclic Compounds49
- Ch. 20 - The Organic Chemistry of Carbohydrates80
- Ch. 21 - Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins57
- Ch. 22 - Catalysis in Organic Reactions and in Enzymatic Reactions35
- Ch. 23 - The Organic Chemistry of the Coenzymes—Compounds Derived from Vitamins1
- Ch. 28 - Pericyclic Reactions58
Chapter 15, Problem 41(8)
Answer the following questions for each compound:
a. How many signals are in its 13C NMR spectrum?
b. Which signal is at the lowest frequency?
8. 
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Analyze the molecular structure of the compound to determine the number of unique carbon environments. In 13C NMR spectroscopy, each unique carbon environment corresponds to a distinct signal. Look for symmetry in the molecule, as symmetric carbons will produce identical signals.
Step 2: Count the number of unique carbon environments in the compound. For example, carbons in identical chemical environments (due to symmetry or identical substituents) will produce the same signal.
Step 3: To determine which signal is at the lowest frequency (downfield), consider the electronic environment of each carbon. Carbons bonded to electronegative atoms (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, halogens) or within electron-withdrawing groups will typically resonate at higher frequencies (downfield), while carbons in electron-rich environments (e.g., alkyl groups) will resonate at lower frequencies (upfield).
Step 4: Assign approximate chemical shift ranges to each unique carbon based on its environment. For example, sp3 carbons in alkyl groups typically appear between 0-50 ppm, sp2 carbons in aromatic rings or alkenes appear between 100-150 ppm, and carbonyl carbons (C=O) appear between 160-220 ppm.
Step 5: Identify the signal at the lowest frequency by comparing the chemical shift ranges of all unique carbons. The carbon in the most electron-rich environment (e.g., a simple alkyl group) will have the lowest frequency signal.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
13C NMR Spectroscopy
13C NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy is a technique used to determine the structure of organic compounds by analyzing the magnetic environment of carbon atoms. Each unique carbon environment in a molecule produces a distinct signal in the NMR spectrum, allowing chemists to infer the number of different carbon atoms present and their connectivity.
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13C NMR General Features
Chemical Shift
Chemical shift refers to the position of a signal in the NMR spectrum, measured in parts per million (ppm). It indicates the electronic environment surrounding a carbon atom, with lower frequency signals (downfield) typically associated with more electronegative substituents or deshielded carbons, while higher frequency signals (upfield) correspond to more shielded carbons.
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11:441H NMR Chemical Shifts
Signal Count in NMR
The number of signals in a 13C NMR spectrum corresponds to the number of distinct carbon environments in a molecule. Equivalent carbons, which are in the same electronic environment, will produce a single signal, while non-equivalent carbons will generate separate signals. This concept is crucial for deducing the molecular structure and identifying functional groups.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Answer the following questions for each compound:
a. How many signals are in its 13C NMR spectrum?
b. Which signal is at the lowest frequency?
9. CH2=CHBr
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Textbook Question
Answer the following questions for each compound:
a. How many signals are in its 13C NMR spectrum? b. Which signal is at the lowest frequency?
7.
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Textbook Question
Describe the proton-coupled 13C NMR spectra for compound 3 in Problem 41, indicating the relative positions of the signals.
3.
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Textbook Question
How would the 1H NMR spectra for the four compounds with molecular formula C3H6Br2 differ?
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Textbook Question
Propose a mechanism for proton exchange of an alcohol in aqueous base.
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