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ACD/Labs Blog

Arvin Moser
Coupling constants from a 1D NMR spectrum can be very useful to a chemist when trying to characterize a structure. However, there are cases where the perceived coupling constants can be misleading and thus wrong. The 1H NMR spectrum below shows several multiplets for a major component tryptophan and a minor component. For tryptophan, the...

Arvin Moser
In collaboration with Sequoia Sciences Inc., we developed a strategy for the dereplication of a complete or a partial structure using 1H NMR, 1H–13C HSQC and 1H–1H COSY spectral data, a molecular formula composition range and structural fragments against a massive database of about 22 million compounds is considered. The work was based on 18...

Arvin Moser
Given any experimental data, producing a list of scenarios that are consistent with the data can help guide an elucidator through the problem while ensuring nothing gets overlooked. For an unknown compound, the carbon count is identified at 18 in total. The 13C NMR spectrum below indicates 19 carbon atoms. There are two 13C signals,...

Arvin Moser
To identify co-eluting components on a chromatogram, one searches for any distinct differences between the components. There are basically three criteria to check the XICs (extracted ion chromatograms) for to confirm whether the m/z signals pertain to the same component: line shape, signal apex and retention time range. The XICs for m/z 188.1 and 205.1...

Arvin Moser
Sorting out what compounds are present in a mixture is a difficult task. The process is further complicated when the compounds co-elute on a chromatographic run. An LC/MS (ESI+) was collected for an unknown sample comprising of small organic molecules. The total ion chromatogram (TIC shown in black) shows a signal at 2.86 minutes. The...

Arvin Moser
Part of the process of interpreting data from 2D NMR spectra is to adjust the intensity threshold in order to differentiate visually the signals from the noise. A certain level of cautious peak picking is needed so not to overlook a weak signal nor confuse a noisy region for a real signal. For an unknown...

Arvin Moser
Spectral data that exhibit weak signals (low S/N) can easily be misinterpreted. A good approach is to check the data against other data to confirm whether the signal is real or an artefact. For an unknown compound, the 1H -13C HSQC spectrum below is shown at two different intensity thresholds. The aromatic protons at 6.97...

Arvin Moser
With deuterated chloroform, the signals from the solvent can overlap with the signals from the unknown of interest. The following spectra are some examples one may encounter. In the expanded regions for each 13C NMR spectrum, Cases 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 display a weak signal at ~76.8, 77.3, 77.5, 77.5, 77.5 ppm, respectively....

Arvin Moser
Solvent signals that overlap with signals from the unknown can be a hurdle in an elucidation. The energy wasted when misidentifying a signal can make an elucidation attempt wearisome and frustrating to put it mildly. Several 13C NMR spectra were collected in deuterated chloroform for a set of unknown compounds. Are any non-solvent signals evident...