Identification of an Unknown Compound by Combined Use of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and Mass Spectrometry: A Real-Life Experience in Structure Determination

Louis J. Liotta and Magdalena James-Pederson
Department of Chemistry, Stonehill College, Easton, MA 02357
J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (6), p 832
DOI: 10.1021/ed085p832
Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2008

Abstract

In this introductory organic chemistry experiment, the students get an opportunity to analyze and identify an unknown compound as it is done in a real-laboratory setting. First, students are instructed on the proper operation of three major instruments, NMR, IR, and GC–MS, and are given a sample of an unknown compound. The students are expected to operate these three instruments on their own so as to obtain 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, and MS spectra of their unknown sample. They must then interpret the data from each of the four spectroscopic methods simultaneously to elucidate the chemical structure of the unknown compound. In this exercise, the instructor does not provide a list of possible unknowns so as to narrow the search for the students. All the knowledge about the nature of the compound is obtained from the spectral data.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Carbon
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History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

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