HL
Structural Analysis
Combining data from different techniques to solve the molecular puzzle.
The Triangulation Strategy
Step
1: Mass Spec
Check the Molecular Ion peak for molar mass. Look at fragmentation to chop off pieces (e.g., loss of 15 = methyl).
Step
2: Infrared
Identify functional groups. Is there a C=O? An O-H? This tells you the "family" (e.g., ketone vs alcohol).
Step
3: NMR
Build the skeleton. Count signals (environments) and use splitting to see who is connected to whom.