Interpretation of NMR Results

Introduction

The main element that is studied in NMR is hydrogen. In the literature hydrogen is called proton, hence the name proton NMR. A proton NMR spectrum will only show protons, no other elements. Similarly, a carbon spectrum will show only carbons. The other major nuclei that can be studied with NMR are nitrogen, phosphorus and fluorine. Each nucleus requires special tuning of the instrument to be able to see.

What does the result look like?

If a sample has just a single compound with a concentration of 1-10mg/ml, a proton NMR spectrum will look similar to:

This spectrum is of ethanol.