BRAINCAKESpin-Spin Splitting
In a high-resolution 1H NMR spectrum, many peaks are not single lines but are split into a cluster of smaller peaks. This is called spin-spin splitting (or spin-spin coupling).
Splitting is caused by protons on the adjacent carbon atom. Each neighbouring proton has its own small magnetic field, which can line up with or against the applied field. This slightly changes the field felt by the proton being observed, so its signal is split into sub-peaks.
Important points:
• Only non-equivalent protons on adjacent carbons cause splitting. Protons in the same chemical environment do not split each other.
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More in NMR Spectroscopy
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- Interpreting 13C NMR Spectra
- 1H NMR Spectroscopy
- Relative Peak Areas
- The n+1 Rule
- Identifying O-H and N-H Protons with D2O
- Combining Techniques to Deduce Structures
All 12 lessons in NMR Spectroscopy · All OCR A-level Organic Chemistry topics