"Double Unknown" Microscale Preparation and COSY Analysis of an Unknown Ester: An Introductory 2D-NMR Experiment

Abstract

2D-NMR experiments are becoming more commonplace for organic analysis and promise to become as routine for chemists of this decade as 1D-NMR experiments were for chemists of the 1970's. However, undergraduate students seldom if ever are exposed to such experiments despite the increasing availability of high-field, superconducting magnets, more powerful computers, and menu driven software that is extremely friendly. This article outlines an experiment that integrates NMR into the organic teaching laboratory in a way designed to highlight the power of the technique and not merely to confirm the identity of known substances.