Question

In 1H NMR, the three-dimensional environment can affect whether groups of protons are chemically equivalent. Between the two molecules below, which would you expect to show the fewest chemically equivalent proton groups?

A description of the molecules being compared should be provided.

A. Molecule A
B. Molecule B
C. Both molecules will have an equal number of chemically equivalent proton groups
D. Insufficient information to determine

Answer 1

In 1H NMR, the three-dimensional environment can affect whether groups of protons are chemically equivalent. Molecule A and Molecule B have an equal number of chemically equivalent proton groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 1H NMR spectra, the three-dimensional environment of the molecules can affect whether groups of protons are chemically equivalent. Molecule A has three hydrogens bonded to a central oxygen atom with two lone pairs, and it has a charge of plus one. Molecule B also has three hydrogens bonded to a central oxygen atom with two lone pairs and a charge of plus one. Both molecules have the same structure, so they will have an equal number of chemically equivalent proton groups. Therefore, the correct answer is C.