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.

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Answered by Edward F. Chemistry tutor

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