Defining Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is a technique for analyzing the stmcture of molecules, usually based on differences in how they absorb electromagnetic radiation. Although there are many types of spectroscopy, four are used most often in organic chemistry (1) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (2) infrared (IR) spectroscopy (3) ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and (based on a different principle) (4) mass spectrometry (MS). The first, NMR spectroscopy, probes the stmcture in the vicinity of individual nuclei, particularly hydrogens and carbons, and provides the most detailed information regarding the atomic connectivity of a molecule. 

We begin with a simple overview of spectroscopy as it relates to NMR, IR, and UV. Then we describe how a spectrometer works. Finally, we consider the principles and applications of NMR spectroscopy in more detail. We shall return to the other major forms of spectroscopy in Chapters 11 and 14. 

Electromagnetic radiation can be described in the form of waves (or particles Section 1-6). A wave is defined by its wavelength A (see margin) or by its frequency v. The two are related by the expressions 

We shall come back to Fignre 10-2 repeatedly, as we discuss the various kinds of spectroscopy. For the moment, jnst remember that the energy of radiation increases with increasing frequency v) or wavenumber ( ) but decreasing wavelength (A) (see margin). 

What type of radiation (in wavelengths, A) would be minimally required to initiate the radical chlorination of methane [Hint The initiation step requires the breaking of the Cl-Cl bond (see Section 3-4).] 

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In the beginning of this chapter, we defined spectroscopy as the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. In contrast, mass spectrometry is the study of the interaction between matter and an energy source other than electromagnetic radiation. Mass spectrometry is used primarily to determine the molecular weight and molecular formula of a compound. 

In an electron spin resonance spectrometer, transitions between the two states are brought about by the application of the quantum of energy hv which is equal to g H. The resonance condition is defined when hv = g H and this is achieved experimentally by varying H keeping the frequency (v) constant. Esr spectroscopy is used extensively in chemistry in the identification and elucidation of structures of radicals. 

There are two fimdamental types of spectroscopic studies absorption and emission. In absorption spectroscopy an atom or molecule in a low-lying electronic state, usually the ground state, absorbs a photon to go to a higher state. In emission spectroscopy the atom or molecule is produced in a higher electronic state by some excitation process, and emits a photon in going to a lower state. In this section we will consider the traditional instrumentation for studying the resulting spectra. They define the quantities measured and set the standard for experimental data to be considered. 

In electron-spin-echo-detected EPR spectroscopy, spectral infomiation may, in principle, be obtained from a Fourier transfomiation of the second half of the echo shape, since it represents the FID of the refocused magnetizations, however, now recorded with much reduced deadtime problems. For the inhomogeneously broadened EPR lines considered here, however, the FID and therefore also the spin echo, show little structure. For this reason, the amplitude of tire echo is used as the main source of infomiation in ESE experiments. Recording the intensity of the two-pulse or tliree-pulse echo amplitude as a function of the external magnetic field defines electron-spm-echo- (ESE-)... 

The adiabatic picture developed above, based on the BO approximation, is basic to our understanding of much of chemistry and molecular physics. For example, in spectroscopy the adiabatic picture is one of well-defined spectral bands, one for each electronic state. The smicture of each band is then due to the shape of the molecule and the nuclear motions allowed by the potential surface. This is in general what is seen in absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy. There are, however, occasions when the picture breaks down, and non-adiabatic effects must be included to give a faithful description of a molecular system [160-163]. 

At this point, we make two comments (a) Conditions (1) and (2) lead to a well-defined sub-Hilbert space that for any further treatments (in spectroscopy or scattering processes) has to be treated as a whole (and not on a state by state level), (b) Since all states in a given sub-Hilbert space are adiabatic states, stiong interactions of the Landau-Zener type can occur between two consecutive states only. However, Demkov-type interactions may exist between any two states. 

In order to define how the nuclei move as a reaction progresses from reactants to transition structure to products, one must choose a definition of how a reaction occurs. There are two such definitions in common use. One definition is the minimum energy path (MEP), which defines a reaction coordinate in which the absolute minimum amount of energy is necessary to reach each point on the coordinate. A second definition is a dynamical description of how molecules undergo intramolecular vibrational redistribution until the vibrational motion occurs in a direction that leads to a reaction. The MEP definition is an intuitive description of the reaction steps. The dynamical description more closely describes the true behavior molecules as seen with femtosecond spectroscopy. 

The electronic structure of an infinite crystal is defined by a band structure plot, which gives the energies of electron orbitals for each point in /c-space, called the Brillouin zone. This corresponds to the result of an angle-resolved photo electron spectroscopy experiment. 

In the previous section we defined several characteristic properties of electromagnetic radiation, including its energy, velocity, amplitude, frequency, phase angle, polarization, and direction of propagation. Spectroscopy is possible only if the photon s interaction with the sample leads to a change in one or more of these characteristic properties. 

Most hydrocarbon resins are composed of a mixture of monomers and are rather difficult to hiUy characterize on a molecular level. The characteristics of resins are typically defined by physical properties such as softening point, color, molecular weight, melt viscosity, and solubiHty parameter. These properties predict performance characteristics and are essential in designing resins for specific appHcations. Actual characterization techniques used to define the broad molecular properties of hydrocarbon resins are Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ftir), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (nmr), and differential scanning calorimetry (dsc). 

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Nmr is a most valuable technique for stmeture determination in thiophene chemistry, especially because spectral interpretation is much easier in the thiophene series compared to benzene derivatives. Chemical shifts in proton nmr are well documented for thiophene (CDCl ), 6 = 7.12, 7.34, 7.34, and 7.12 ppm. Coupling constants occur in well-defined ranges J2-3 = 4.9-5.8 ... 

J3 4 = 3.45-4.35 J2-4 = 1.25-1.7 and J2-5 = 3.2-3.65 Hz. The technique can be used quantitatively by comparison with standard spectra of materials of known purity. C-nmr spectroscopy of thiophene and thiophene derivatives is also a valuable technique that shows well-defined patterns of spectra. C chemical shifts for thiophene, from tetramethylsilane (TMS), are 127.6, C 125.9, C 125.9, and C 127.6 ppm. 

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