NMR Spectroscopy Course

Lesson 1 • Behaviour of Nuclei in Magnetic Fields

Explains Zeeman splitting and energy level populations in an external field. Connects spin physics to observable NMR transitions.

Lesson 2 • Fourier Transform and the NMR Spectrum

Transforms time-domain FID data into a frequency-domain spectrum. Students gain intuition for how peaks arise from chemical environments.

Lesson 3 • Nuclear Spin and Magnetic Properties

Introduces nuclear spin quantum numbers and magnetic moments as the physical basis of NMR. Establishes vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Free Induction Decay and Signal Detection

Describes the FID as the raw NMR signal and how it is digitised. Prepares students for Fourier transform processing in the next section.

Lesson 1 • Carbon-13 Chemical Shift Interpretation

Covers 13C shift ranges and their sensitivity to hybridisation and substitution. Complements proton data for complete structural elucidation.

Lesson 2 • Anisotropy and Ring Current Effects

Explains magnetic anisotropy from pi systems and its impact on nearby proton shifts. Develops predictive skill for aromatic and carbonyl environments.

Lesson 3 • Origin of Chemical Shift

Explains electron shielding and deshielding as the source of chemical shift differences. Grounds interpretation in electronic structure concepts.

Lesson 4 • Solvent and Concentration Effects

Addresses how solvent choice and sample concentration alter observed shifts. Teaches best practices for reproducible chemical shift reporting.

Lesson 1 • Mechanism of Scalar Coupling

Explains through-bond electron-mediated coupling between nuclei. Establishes why coupling constants encode dihedral angle and bond information.

Lesson 2 • Second-Order and Complex Multiplets

Addresses strongly coupled spin systems where first-order rules break down. Prepares students to recognise and handle AB, ABX, and AMX systems.

Lesson 3 • Karplus Equation and Stereochemistry

Links vicinal coupling constants to dihedral angles via the Karplus relationship. Enables conformational and stereochemical analysis from coupling data.

Lesson 4 • First-Order Multiplet Patterns

Applies the n+1 rule and Pascal's triangle to predict multiplet shapes. Builds pattern-recognition skills for routine spectral analysis.

Lesson 1 • Transverse Relaxation (T2)

Explains spin-spin dephasing and its effect on linewidth and signal duration. Distinguishes intrinsic T2 from field-inhomogeneity contributions.

Lesson 2 • Optimising Acquisition Parameters

Applies relaxation knowledge to set recycle delays, acquisition times, and pulse angles. Maximises sensitivity and avoids saturation artefacts.

Lesson 3 • Longitudinal Relaxation (T1)

Defines spin-lattice relaxation and the mechanisms driving magnetisation recovery. Connects T1 values to molecular motion and field strength.

Lesson 4 • Nuclear Overhauser Effect

Introduces the NOE as a through-space relaxation phenomenon for distance measurement. Establishes the basis for NOE-based structural experiments.

Lesson 1 • Spectral Assignment Strategy

Provides a systematic workflow for assigning peaks to molecular positions. Integrates shift, multiplicity, and integral data into a coherent assignment.

Lesson 2 • Carbon-13 NMR Techniques

Addresses the low sensitivity of 13C and strategies to overcome it. Teaches broadband-decoupled and DEPT experiments for carbon multiplicity editing.

Lesson 3 • Proton NMR Acquisition and Processing

Covers shimming, locking, and parameter setup for high-quality 1H spectra. Establishes the workflow used as a baseline for all subsequent experiments.

Lesson 4 • Common 1D Artefacts and Troubleshooting

Identifies and corrects shimming errors, phasing problems, and baseline distortions. Builds diagnostic skills essential for reliable spectral interpretation.

Lesson 1 • Principles of 2D NMR Experiments

Explains the preparation-evolution-mixing-detection framework underlying all 2D experiments. Provides the conceptual map for understanding any 2D pulse sequence.

Lesson 2 • NOESY and Through-Space Correlation

Applies NOESY to measure spatial proximity and determine stereochemistry. Connects relaxation theory to practical 3D structural analysis.

Lesson 3 • COSY and Homonuclear Correlation

Teaches COSY for mapping proton-proton coupling networks across a molecule. Enables tracing of spin systems for complete proton assignment.

Lesson 4 • HMBC and Long-Range Heteronuclear Correlation

Uses HMBC to detect two- and three-bond 1H-13C correlations for quaternary carbon assignment. Bridges proton spin systems across heteroatoms.

Lesson 1 • Case Studies in Structure Elucidation

Works through natural product and pharmaceutical unknowns using full NMR datasets. Develops problem-solving speed and analytical judgement.

Lesson 2 • Stereochemical Determination by NMR

Uses coupling constants and NOE data to assign relative and absolute configuration. Covers chiral shift reagents and diastereotopic group analysis.

Lesson 3 • Structure Verification and Validation

Applies spectral simulation and database comparison to confirm proposed structures. Teaches critical evaluation of spectral evidence quality.

Lesson 4 • Combining 1D and 2D Data

Demonstrates how COSY, HSQC, and HMBC data complement each other in assignment. Teaches cross-referencing to resolve ambiguous correlations.

Lesson 1 • Solid-State NMR Fundamentals

Introduces magic-angle spinning and cross-polarisation for insoluble materials. Extends NMR capability to polymers, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.

Lesson 2 • NMR in Reaction Monitoring and Kinetics

Applies real-time NMR to track reaction progress and extract rate constants. Integrates quantitative NMR with kinetic modelling for mechanistic insight.

Lesson 3 • Diffusion-Ordered Spectroscopy

Uses DOSY to separate species by hydrodynamic radius in complex mixtures. Applies diffusion coefficients to molecular size and aggregation analysis.

Lesson 4 • Hyperpolarisation and Sensitivity Enhancement

Surveys DNP, para-hydrogen, and optical pumping methods for dramatic sensitivity gains. Addresses low-concentration and in vivo NMR challenges.