Skip to content

Testing & Analysis Techniques

Back to Capabilities Back to Testing & Characterisation
Contact

NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Spectroscopy

NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Spectroscopy provides physical, chemical, electronic and structural information from organic compounds in liquid or solid form.

Samples are typically dissolved in a deuterium-labelled solvent to form, a clear solution before being transferred to a thin, transparent glass NMR tube.  The sample is then placed into a very strong magnetic field whereby the nuclei of the atoms absorb and then re-emit electromagnetic radiation at a particular resonance frequency.  This information provides structural and electronic information which translates into an extremely powerful analytical technique.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy offers:

  • Identification of molecular chemical environments and structures
  • Physical and chemical properties at the atomic and molecular level
  • Well resolved, highly sensitive, analytically tractable and highly predictable analysis.

Typical Applications

  • Structural determination of molecules including biomacromolecules
  • Determination of molecular motion and interaction profiles
  • The study of proteins including enzyme active sites
  • Compound identification
  • Purity analysis
  • Stability studies.

Typical Industries using NMR Spectroscopy:

  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Agrochemical industry
  • Chemical industry
  • Polymer industry
  • Medical device industry
  • Nuclear industry
  • Consumer health
  • Packaging manufacturers
  • Petrochemical and oil.

NMR Spectroscopy - At a Glance

  • Information: Molecular information of simple and complex structures, normally relates to a single element
  • Sample Prerequisites: Understanding the material so that appropriate solvent can be used as required
  • Typical samples: Organic, inorganic or biochemical molecules
  • Output: Separation by functional groups and differing neighbouring groups, plus relative quantities of elements present
  • Sample Size: Sample sizes of less than 1g are required
  • Detection Limits: NMR has limited sensitivity to minor components
  • Data Output: Spectrum of signal intensity against chemical shift
  • Elements Characterized: Analysis is normally limited to a single element, typically hydrogen
  • Samples: Liquids, dissolved solids and solids may be analyzed using the appropriate instrumentation