Many atomic nuclei behave as
though they are spinning - this
is called NUCLEAR SPIN.
Such nuclei have a magnetic moment which means they behave like tiny bar magnets.
When an external magnetic field is
applied the nuclei which have spin will
line up in the either the same direction
(with the field) or the opposite direction
(against the field.
The nuclei aligned with the field are much lower in energy
that the ones against it.
A signal is recorded when
a nucleus aligned wit the
magnetic field absorbs
low-energy radiation in
the radio-frequency range
and the nucleus enters
the higher energy state.
This is called RESONANCE
Hnmr Spectroscopy
In organic molecules, protons are
surrounded by ELECTRONS, which
partially shields them from the
applied magnetic field.
The amount of shielding
depends on the electron density
surrounding the nucleus and
varies for different protons
within a compound.
Factors which affect ELECTRON
DENSITY:
Bond Polarity
The presence of
electron
donating groups
The presence of electron withdrawing groups
As each chemically distinct H
atom has a unique electronic
environment it gives rise to a
characteristic resonance
Chemically Equivalent
Protons are all in the same
environment and
therefore absorb the same
frequency