1H NMR analysis is an
important analytical technique
presented in introductory organic chemistry courses. NMR instrument
access is limited for undergraduate organic chemistry students due
to the size of the instrument, price of NMR solvents, and the maintenance
level required for instrument upkeep. The University of Georgia Chemistry
Department recently acquired three picoSpin desktop 1H
NMR instruments for the undergraduate organic laboratories. These
instruments can sit on a standard lab bench, can analyze samples without
NMR solvents, and are easily maintained. In this Fischer esterification
experiment, students used unknown starting alcohols to synthesize
esters through Fischer esterification. Upon completion of the reaction,
students identified the unknown starting alcohol via spectral analyses
of the products. Over the course of 4 semesters, 704 out of 940 students
(75%) correctly identified the starting alcohol and 71% of students
surveyed indicated that 1H NMR spectrum was the most helpful
identification tool in their analyses. This experiment established
for students the utility of NMR spectral analysis and provided them
with the opportunity to employ technology commonly used in academic
research facilities.
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