Spectroscopic Methods in
Inorganic Chemistry
Part 2: NMR
Dr. Chris, Feb. 2016
Rotating Charge produces a
magnetic moment μ
For ELECTRONS that means
that molecules become dia-
or paramagnetic.
For the NUCLEUS it means
that it gets a magnetic
moment that can be
adjusted to an outer magn.
Field.
The spin I of particles is QUANTIZISED, means it can
only have certain values
For the nucleus of elements, the spin depends on the
number of protons and neutrons:
Most important for NMR are elements with I = ½
For bigger I there is a quadrupole moment which affects
the broadness of the peaks
In a strong magnetic Field B0 the spins can have the
values + or – ½.
The energy difference between these states is:
Energy States for I = ½
RF Pulse Experiment
The sum of all
magn.moments is a vector
that rotates around B0
B1 as magn.field
perpendicular to B0
causes the
magn.moments to move
towards the y-axis
Chemical Shift δ
The magn.Field B0 also
affects the electrons moving
around the nucleus.
They will align with the B0
field, creating a local field
opposing B0 for the nucleus.
The nucleus is shielded by
the electrons.
Spin Coupling
http://orgchem.colorado.edu/Spectroscopy/nmrthe
ory/splitting.html
Example
13C NMR
13C has I = ½; its natural abundance is 1.1%
• 13C sensitivity is only 1/5700 that of 1H
• 13C experiments require higher
concentrations and more scans/time
• S/N increases with square root of # of scans
Exercise
How would the spectrum look like for
1H NMR
19F NMR
31P NMR
Compare CH4 and BH4
-
How would the 1H NMR spectra look like ?
 Consider that C has an NMR-active isotope 13C
 B has a nuclear spin of 3/2
http://users.auth.gr/akrivos/Metaptyxiaka/Fysikes%20Methodoi/008-P-C-
NMR-complexes_Coord-Chem-Rev_2008.pdf
C contains 1.1% of 13C -> coupling between the H
would result in a doublet
13C – 1H coupling
And a main peak in the middle from 1H alone
B has I = 3/2 => possible mL are 3/2, ½, -½ and -3/2
E
B0
4 possible spin orientations
 3 possible transitions
(in a 11B NMR spectrum !)
 ΔmL = +/- 1
-3/2
+3/2
+1/2
-1/2
The 4 protons can interact with
4 different B spin states =>
quadrupel signal
How about 11B NMR of BH4
- ?
The interactions of the B-spin with the 4 H-spins
The 4 protons can have 5 different total spins:
½ ½ ½ ½ Spin 2 -> 1 way
½ ½ ½ -½ Spin 1 -> 4 ways
½ ½ -½ -½ Spin 0 -> 6 ways
½ -½ -½ -½ Spin -1 -> 4 ways
-½ -½ -½ -½ Spin -2 -> 1 way
Splitting pattern by spin ½ nuclei
1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
Number of peaks: 2 x I x n + 1
( = 2 x ½ x 4 +1 = 5 )
“Pascal triangle”
Example 2: Diborane
Consider only the 2 H in the bridge
 What is the 1H NMR spectrum
 What is the 11B NMR spectrum ?
11B spectrum
2 equivalent B atoms couple with
2 equivalent protons
 2 (1/2) 2 + 1 = 3 signals
Coupling by spin ½ nuclei -> use
the Pascal triangle
1H NMR spectrum
Number of peaks: 2 I n + 1 = 2 (3/2) 2 + 1 = 7
The proton interacts with 2 B spins -> no Pascal triangle !
which can have the following orientations:
3/2 3/2 I = 3 1 way
3/2 ½ and ½ 3/2 I = 2 2 ways
½ ½ and 3/2 -1/2 and - ½ 3/2 I = 1 3 ways
½ -½ and -½ ½
and 3/2 -3/2 and -3/2 3/2 I = 0 4 ways
How would the spectra change if
we had 3 bridging Hydrogens ?
19F NMR example (spin ½)
To calculate the coupling
constant J, we have to
convert the difference in
δ to Hz
Δδ = 0.07
The measuring
frequency was 282 MHz
J = 0.07 1/106 x 282 MHz
= 20 Hz
We refer this simply to
be a multiplet
Read the spectrum from left to right
DYNAMIC NMR
Principle
How would the spectrum look like if the groups
A and B and “frozen” and if they can quickly
interchange ?
Example: Methanol
Example: Re Complex
http://www.rsc.org/images/18_Solving_Inorganic_Spectroscopic_Problems_tcm18-29994.pdf
equivalent F
t
Which F-NMR signals would we expect ?
Replace by C6H5
here
a
a
b
c
a
b
We would expect a broadened triplet for each of the
equatorial flourines
c
a
b
d
Protons c and d are not
equivalent, so we would
expect 2 different doublets
c
b
Ca. 1-3 Hz
14Hz

NMR for inorganic chemistry