NMR Spectroscopy

Origin of Spin-Spin Splitting


How does the n+1 rule work? Remember that the adjacent protons are also tiny magnets which can either be aligned with the applied magnetic field or in opposition to it. The orientation of these adjacent protons will affect the radiation necessary to cause a proton to resonate.

Figure 14. Spin-spin splitting in chloroethane.

Spin-spin splitting in chloroethane.

To determine the relative intensity of each split peak, just refer to Pascal's triangle:

singlet 1
doublet           1   1          
triplet         1   2   1        
quartet       1   3   3   1      
quintet     1   4   6   4   1    
sextet   1   5   10   10   5   1  
septet 1   6   15   20   15   6   1


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