Organic Chemistry Practice Test: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance — Flashcards

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a spectroscopic technique that uses a large magnet to study the spin properties of atomic nuclei. It's a physical phenomenon that occurs when nuclei in a strong magnetic field are perturbed by a weak oscillating magnetic field. The nuclei respond by producing an electromagnetic signal with a frequency characteristic of the magnetic field at the nucleus. 

NMR can be used to study complex structures and interactions in environmental samples. 
Some types of NMR include:
Solution-state NMR: Provides high resolution data and comprehensive molecular information for soluble components
Solid-state NMR: Performed on dried samples packed into a rotor 

NMR was co-discovered in 1946 by Purcell, Pound, and Torrey of Harvard University and Bloch, Hansen, and Packard of Stanford University. 
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NRMI) is a procedure that uses radio waves, a powerful magnet, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.