How would you expect the H-NMR spectrum of ethanol to differ from the H-NMR spectrum of ethane?

First, draw out both molecules as this will make the comparison much easier. Count the number of different hydrogen environments in each molecule to determine the number of H-NMR peaks. Count the number of hydrogen atoms in each of the different environments to determine the relative integration of the peaks. For each of the different environments, count the number of hydrogen atoms on adjacent carbon atoms that are in different environments to the hydrogen environment you are investigating, and add one to this number; this will give you the splitting patterns for each of the peaks. Answer: Ethanol has three peaks in its H-NMR spectrum; a triplet with an integration of 3 (represents the CH3 group), a quartet with an integration of 2 (represents the CH2 group) and a singlet with an integration of 1 (due to the alcohol group). Ethane on the other hand only has one peak in its H-NMR spectrum; a singlet with an integration of six, caused by the two CH3 groups.The shift values for all peaks in ethanol's H-NMR spectrum are higher than the shift value of the single peak in ethane's H-NMR spectrum. This is because each ethanol molecule has an oxygen atom (oxygen atoms are highly electronegative), whereas ethane only consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

EF

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do certain metals give off different colours when heated?


"Sulfur Dioxide can be represented as a sulfur atom with double bonds to each of two oxygen atoms, explain the shape of this molecule and predict the bond angle".


PharmaPlus, a drug developer, is required by law to carry out clinical trials on the novel drug ‘AccuPreasure’. AccuPreasure is to be marketed for control of high blood pressure. Give three questions that clinical trials are designed to answer.


Proteins are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide essential amino acids. (a) State what is meant by an essential amino acid.