Categories: Analytical Chemistry >> NMR

NMR - From Spectra to Structures

Description

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is one of the most important analytical methods available today. This practice-oriented textbook aims at teaching the use of NMR spectra in the elucidation of organic structures. The emphasis of NMR - from Spectra to Structures is on practical rather than on theoretical aspects, which are treated only briefly. The book is intended as a practical guide to todays standard NMR experiments for students and laboratory personnel. A set of thirty-five graded problems reinforces the readers understanding of how problems of structure elucidation are solved by using NMR.

Editorial Review

NMR spectroscopy comes to mind as an example of how rapidly methods are improved. Anyone who was familiar with the 60 MHz machines can only be astounded by the potential of the new, state of the art technology. Thus, even a software update for a 300 MHz machine can cut the measurement time in half while maintaining the same spectrum quality - an event that this reviewer has witnessed. Not only the absolute field strength, but also the newer mathematical methods and measurement techniques, along with higher processing power, result in NMR spectra being recorded more rapidly and in greater detail.

Two-dimensional spectra (H, H, COSY; 2D NOE), special methods (APT, DEPT, INADEQUATE), and entirely new applications such as coupled HPLC-NMR, are all discussed in "NMR - From Spectra to Structures". In this way, the authors have not emphasized a technical treatment, but rather wish to explain the fundamentally new applications in structure elucidation. Those readers having an interest in an exact underlying physical framework must avail themselves of the ongoing literature in the area.

In the second part of the book, the reader has the opportunity for practice on a few spectra. In the simpler cases, the structure can be determined on the basis of the empirical formula, the characteristic IR bands and the proton spectrum, while the later examples acquaint the reader with the advantages of the newer methods. One is not distracted by a chapter containing the solutions while working through the examples, since these can only be obtained upon request to the authors via email.

This book is not only helpful to students by familiarizing them with the potential of modern NMR spectroscopy, but also for users who wish to achieve real depth in the new techniques. The replacement of the older machines with the current ones represents an enormous leap. It would be regrettable if one could not bring the latest technological options to bear on the structural analysis of unknown compounds.

In this respect, the present book is recommended for students as complementary to their usual textbook, and for everyone who has not yet realized the full potential of modern NMR instrumentation.