Chemistry Project Abstract
IDENTIFICATION OF UNKNOWN ORGANIC COMPOUNDS THROUGH NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
Presenters:
Matthew Traverso, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; jobobs@imsa.edu
Kevin Yang, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; kyang@imsa.edu
Advisor:
Mary VanVerst, Science, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; vanverst@imsa.edu; 630-907-5047
Dr. Joseph Ray, Spectroscopy Consultant, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
Abstract:
Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (FT-NMR) is a method for identifying the structure of organic compounds. It works by measuring the number of distinct types of hydrogen atoms being studied (integrals) and the nature of the surrounding environment (frequency of peaks) in the form of a complex spectrum generated by placing the substance in a powerful magnetic field. IMSA is the only high school in the country with a FT-NMR instrument on campus available for student use. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a method of detecting the types of bonds that exist in a chemical because bonds vibrate at distinct frequencies. We were presented with a number of unknown substances and asked to identify them using our spectroscopy skills. The samples were dissolved in a chloroform solvent, transferred to an NMR tube, which is then placed inside the NMR instrument. Test data from the instrument is recorded on a computer where it can be analyzed. Using reference data, reference spectra, a variety of tests (FT-IR, 1D NMR, and 2D COSY NMR), and our knowledge of proton spins we have been able to identify the structure of several of the compounds such as oxyraine methyl 2-methyl propenoate and oxyraine methly butanoate.