Carbon NMR: What is the mystery compound? Virtual Lab

NMR saves the day! In this simulation, you will learn about the principles of the analytical spectroscopic technique known as nuclear magnetic resonance. Understand the factors that cause the resonance peaks and train your chemistry mind to interpret the complete spectra. 

Why Carbon-13?

In our very fun minigame, learn about the characteristics of the carbon-13 nuclei and why the isotope of carbon is detected instead of the carbon-12 we know to be in the periodic table. Explore more features of the atomic nuclei that are important for nuclear magnetic resonance technology such as gyromagnetic ratio and natural abundance. 

Chemical Shifts

Why do we get peaks at different chemical shifts? Explore the characteristics of atoms in a functional group that alters the position of the peaks in the Carbon-13 NMR spectra. Learn in more depth the effects of electronegativity, electron induction, and diamagnetic anisotropy and in what molecular examples do these effects take place. 

Apply your newly gained knowledge about the functional groups and resonance peaks to interpret the spectra, and grasp how these effects can alter the chemical shift of the peaks. Continue your learning and get some practice using the chemical shift range to identify the presence of functional groups in the molecular structure of your solid sample.

Sample preparation

Let’s go to the lab bench! Familiarise yourself with the process of sample preparation of an organic solid compound. Explore the equipment and the reagents such as the solvents and the reference compound.

Interpret the final spectrum to uncover the molecular structure of the unknown compound.

Become the scientific detective we know you are and solve the ultimate chemystery!