This introduction is designed to explain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), which is now the main structure determination tool used by organic chemists. This technique can be used to determine the structures of virtually all organic compounds, no matter how complex. It is even being used to determine very complex structures such as enzymes and proteins.

NMR produces a spectrum containing a number of peaks. The heights and positions of these peaks enables a chemist to very accurately determine what the carbon-hydrogen framework of an organic molecule is.

The pages listed below will give you information on the theory of NMR, so you will be able to understand how an NMR spectrum is obtained. Once you have understood that concept you can then begin to learn how to interpret the spectra.