1. CH 9-6: (4) Alcohol (R-OH) Protons in 1H NMR
How many proton signals do you expect for ethanol?
(c)
(a)
(b)
The –OH proton signal is usually found around 3-4 ppm.
Since the –OH proton is acidic we rarely observe splitting! The –OH signal is always a singlet and does not split adjacent protons.
When a few drops of D2O are added to an alcohol sample, the acidic –OH proton will undergo acid/base exchange with D2O forming –OD, and the –OH NMR signal disappears!
The deuterium atom is invisible in 1H NMR. We can take advantage of this chemistry to ID –OH NMR signals.

2. Identifying the R-OH acidic proton in 1H NMR
All acidic protons can be exchanged with deuterium (“D”) from D2O.
Can be acid or base catalyzed, or uncatalyzed.
Since “D” is invisible in 1H NMR, the signal for the –OH proton will disappear.

3. NMR Background Review Chemical Equivalence of Hydrogen atoms.
(2) The “Chemical Shift” scale is defined as ppm, and ranges from ppm.
(3) Signal Splitting: The magnetic field of a specific H nucleus will be influenced by all H nuclei on adjacent carbon atoms. This causes the signal to be “split”. The N=1 Rule is used to predict splitting.
(4) Alcohol Protons. The NMR signal from acidic R-OH protons is not “split” by adjacent protons. Acidic protons will also disappear when a few drops of D2O are added to the sample.

4. Identification of an Unknown: IR & NMR Data
Determine the Hydrogen Deficiency. What does this tell you?
If the chemical formula is given, what does that tell you?
Based on the IR, what functional groups are obviously present?
In the 1H NMR spectrum, identify all signals and label as (a), (b), (c), etc. How many protons are associated with each set of signals? How many total protons are in the molecule? Summarize in a table.
Are there any diagnostic chemical shifts in the NMR spectrum (>4.5 ppm)? What functional groups are represented?
Are any of the protons exchangeable with D2O (acidic protons of alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines).
Each NMR signal (a,b,c…) represents a unique H or group of equivalent H’s. Based on the splitting pattern for each signal, draw an organic structural fragment (“puzzle piece”) that will produce the splitting for that specific H or equivalent group of H’s.
Once you have all the “puzzle pieces”, piece them together to complete the unknown structure.

5. CH 9-6: (4) Alcohol (R-OH) Protons in 1H NMR
After studying this video, try working through the following problem to solve the structure of an unknown. We will work on this problem in class (no quiz).
(a) The unknown formula is C4H10O. Calculate the Hydrogen Deficiency. What information does the (i) HD and (ii) formula tell you about the unknown?
(b) What functional group information do you get from the IR spectrum? List the frequency and the name of the functional group.

6. (c) Note that I am giving you the NMR data in table format
(c) Note that I am giving you the NMR data in table format. Note that there are four signals (a-d) suggesting four non-equivalent groups of protons. Start by adding up the total number of protons. Does that match the H’s in the formula?
(d) Now look at the chemical shifts. If you have chemical shifts (ppm) > 4.5, you may be able to identify additional functional groups. Do any signals disappear when D2O is added? What does this suggest? If this consistent with the IR?
(e) Now look at the splitting for each signal. Based on the # of protons and the splitting you should be able to draw a partial structural “puzzle piece”. For example, if you have a signal for a 3H (t), this may suggest a puzzle piece that looks like: -CH2CH3
1H NMR Data Table
(e) Finally, take all of your puzzle pieces and try putting them together into a complete structure. Check that your structure matches all of the given data (formula, HD, IR, NMR), and that all carbons have four bonds!
*This signal disappears when D2O was added to the sample.