Advanced Organic Chemistry: 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane CH3CHBrCH3

Interpreting the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane

[Author ©  Dr Phil Brown PhD: Doc Brown's advanced level organic chemistry exam revision notes suitable for students of UK A level chemistry courses & US K12 grade 11, grade 12 and AP honors chemistry courses: Molecular spectroscopy - analysing the 1H proton NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane [updated Mar 12th 2026 *]

* email doc brown * [privacy, cookies & disclaimer policies] * Re-edit 1H NMR spectrum of CH3CHBrCH3

 LINKS associated with 2-bromopropane

 The chemistry of organic halogen compounds

 This is a BIG website, please take time to explore it

 H-1 proton NMR spectroscopy - spectra index


Introductory note on the 1H NMR spectra of 2-bromopropane

Students and teachers please note my explanation of the proton NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane is designed for advanced, but pre-university, chemistry courses.

The chemical shift δ splitting pattern effects for 2-bromopropane are confined to a proton spin-spin coupling effects analysed using the n+1 rule for adjacent non-equivalent proton fields (n is the number of neighbouring protons in a non-equivalent different chemical environment for the 2-bromopropane molecule).

It is assumed that the integrated intensities of the 1H NMR δ chemical shifts give the ratio of the protons in the different non-equivalent chemical environments of the 2-bromopropane molecule.

The most common solvent used for investigating the 1H NMR spectrum of compounds like 2-bromopropane, is CDCl3 and other deuterated solvents to avoid confusion with a 1H NMR signal, 2D (2H) has a different NMR chemical shift.

C3H7Br CH3CHBrCH3 low and high resolution 1H proton nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane analysis interpretation of chemical shifts ppm spin spin line splitting diagram H1 H-1 nmr for isopropyl bromide explaining spin-spin coupling for line splitting doc brown's advanced organic chemistry revision notes

TMS is the acronym for tetramethylsilane, formula Si(CH3)4, whose protons are arbitrarily given a chemical shift of 0.0 ppm. This is the 'standard' in 1H NMR spectroscopy and all other proton resonances, called chemical shifts, are measured with respect to the TMS, and depend on the individual (electronic) chemical environment of the hydrogen atoms in an organic molecule - 2-bromopropane here.

The chemical shifts quoted in ppm on the diagram of the H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane represent the peaks of the intensity of the chemical shifts of (which are often groups of split lines at high resolution) AND the relative integrated areas under the peaks gives you the ratio of protons in the different chemical environments of the 2-bromopropane molecule.

2-bromopropane, C3H7Br, CH3CHBrCH3(c) doc b , (c) doc b

The molecular structure and naming of haloalkanes

Interpreting the H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane (a secondary haloalkane)

In terms of spin-spin coupling from the possible proton magnetic orientations, for 2-bromopropane I have only considered the interactions of non-equivalent protons on adjacent carbon atoms e.g. CH3-CH-

For relatively simple molecules, the low resolution H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane is a good starting point with two peaks in the ratio 6:1.

The hydrogen atoms (protons) of 2-bromopropane occupy 2 different chemical environments so that the low resolution NMR spectra should show 2 principal peaks of different H-1 NMR chemical shifts (diagram above for 2-bromopropane).

CH3CHBrCH3

Note the proton ratio 6:1 of the 2 colours of the protons in the 2 chemically different environments

Chemical shifts (a) to (c) on the H-1 NMR spectrum diagram for 2-bromopropane.

The two methyl groups are equivalent to each other.

Although there are 7 hydrogen atoms in the molecule, there are only 2 possible different chemical environments for the hydrogen atoms in 2-bromopropane molecule.

The integrated signal proton ratio 6:1 observed in the high resolution H-1 NMR spectrum, corresponds with the structural formula of 2-bromopropane.

The high resolution 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane

The ppm quoted on the diagram represent the peak of resonance intensity for a particular proton group in the molecule of 2-bromopropane - since the peak' is at the apex of a band of H-1 NMR resonances due to spin - spin coupling field splitting effects - see high resolution notes on 2-bromopropane below.

So, using the chemical shifts and applying the n+1 rule to 2-bromopropane and make some predictions using some colour coding! (In problem solving you work the other way round!)

(a) 1H Chemical shift 1.31 ppm, methyl protons: CH3CHBrCH3

This resonance is split into a doublet by the methyl protons (n+1 = 2).

Evidence for the presence of a -CH- group in the molecule of 2-bromopropane.

All six protons of the methyl groups in 2-bromopropane occupy identical chemical environments and cannot cause each others proton field to be split.

(b) 1H Chemical shift 3.79 ppm, CH protons :CH3CHBrCH3

This resonance is split into a 1:6:15:20:15:6:1 septet by the methyl protons.

Evidence for the presence of a CH3-C-CH3 grouping in the molecule of 2-bromopropane (n+6 = 7).

Note the decreasing effect on the chemical shift as the hydrogen atom is further from the highly more electronegative bromine atom of 2-bromopropane.


Summary of the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane and extra comments

The ¹H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane (CH3–CHBr–CH3) with clarity, precision, and exam-ready insights.


Molecular Overview of 2-bromopropane of relevance to the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane

  • Structure: Symmetrical secondary haloalkane

  • Proton environments:

    • Two equivalent methyl groups (CH3)

    • One methine proton (CHBr)


Proton Chemical Shifts and Integration for the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane

Chemical Shift (δ, ppm)

Proton Type

Origin

Splitting Pattern

Integration

~1.7, 1.31 ppm

CH3

Methyl groups adjacent to CHBr

Doublet (n=1)

6H

~4.2, 3.79 ppm

CHBr

Methine proton adjacent to two CH₃

Septet (n=6)

1H

CH3CHBrCH3

Note: Exact shifts may vary slightly depending on solvent and instrument, but the pattern remains consistent.


Common Misconceptions about the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane (see below too)

  • Mistaking symmetry for fewer peaks: Some assume only one signal due to symmetry. In fact, there are two distinct environments.

  • Misidentifying the septet: Students may not recognize the seven-line multiplet as a result of coupling with six equivalent protons.

  • Ignoring integration ratios: The 6:1 ratio is crucial—methyl protons (6H) versus methine (1H).

  • Expecting a singlet for CH3: The methyl signal is a doublet, not a singlet, due to coupling with the CHBr proton.


Exam Tips for questions involving the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane (see above too)

  • Quote both chemical shifts and splitting: e.g., “The CH₃ protons appear as a doublet at ~1.7 ppm due to coupling with the CHBr proton.”

  • Use correct terminology: Say “methine proton” or “CHBr” rather than “middle hydrogen.”

  • Highlight symmetry: “The two methyl groups are chemically equivalent, giving a single signal integrating to 6H.”

  • Mention coupling partners: “The septet at ~4.2 ppm arises from coupling with six equivalent methyl protons.”

  • Link integration to structure: “The 6:1 integration ratio confirms the presence of two methyl groups and one methine proton.”


The splitting pattern from proton spin-spin coupling effects is analysed using the n+1 rule for adjacent non-equivalent proton fields (n is the number of neighbouring protons in a non-equivalent different chemical environment).

Number of directly adjacent protons 1H causing splitting Splitting pattern produced from the n+1 rule on spin-spin coupling and the theoretical ratio of line intensities
0 means no splitting             1            
1 creates a doublet           1   1          
2 creates a triplet         1   2   1        
3 creates a quartet       1   3   3   1      
4 creates a quintet     1   4   6   4   1    
5 creates a sextet   1   5   10   10   5   1  
6 creates a septet 1   6   15   20   15   6   1

Key words & phrases: C3H7Br CH3CHBrCH3 Interpreting the proton H-1 NMR spectra of 2-bromopropane, low resolution & high resolution proton nmr spectra of 2-bromopropane, H-1 nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane, understanding the hydrogen-1 nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane, explaining the line splitting patterns from spin-spin coupling  in the high resolution H-1 nmr spectra of 2-bromopropane, revising the H-1 nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane, proton nmr of 2-bromopropane, ppm chemical shifts of the H-1 nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane, explaining and analyzing spin line splitting in the H-1 nmr spectrum, how to construct the diagram of the H-1 nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane, how to work out the number of chemically different protons in the structure of the 2-bromopropane organic molecule, how to analyse the chemical shifts in the hydrogen-1 H-1 proton NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane using the n+1 rule to explain the spin - spin coupling splitting in the proton nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane deducing the nature of the protons from the chemical shifts ppm in the H-1 nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane examining the 1H nmr spectrum of  2-bromopropane analysing the 1-H nmr spectrum of 2-bromopropane how do you sketch and interpret the H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane interpreting interpretation of the 1H proton spin-spin coupling causing line splitting in the NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane  assignment of chemical shifts in the proton 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane formula explaining spin-spin coupling for line splitting of isopropyl bromide How do you interpret the H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane How to interpret the H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane Explanatory diagram of the chemical shifts of the 1H H-1 proton NMR spectrum of the 2-bromopropane molecule in terms of its molecular structure. Listing data of all the chemical shift peaks in ppm in the proton NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane. How to explain the H-1 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane. The chemical shifts and  integrated values of the proton ratios in the 1-H NMR spectrum of the 2-bromopropane molecule. How to work out the molecular structure of the 2-bromopropane molecule from its proton NMR spectrum. The uses and distinctive features of the proton NMR spectrum of the 2-bromopropane molecule explained. What does the H-1 proton NMR spectrum chemical shifts tell us about the structure and properties of the 2-bromopropane molecule? explaining the spin-spin proton coupling effects in the 1H NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane. diagram explaining the proton splitting pattern produced from the n+1 rule and the theoretical ratio of chemical shift and values of intensities for the proton NMR spectrum lines of 2-bromopropane


Links associated with 2-bromopropane

The infrared spectrum of 2-bromopropane

The mass spectrum of 2-bromopropane

The C-13 NMR spectrum of 2-bromopropane

The chemistry of HALOGENOALKANES (haloalkanes) revision notes INDEX

H-1 proton NMR spectroscopy index  (Please read 8 points at the top of the 1H NMR index page)

ALL SPECTROSCOPY INDEXES

All Advanced Organic Chemistry Notes

Use My Google search site box

Email doc b: chem55555@hotmail.com


Website content © Dr Phil Brown 2000+. All copyrights reserved on revision notes, images, quizzes, worksheets etc. Copying of Doc Brown's pre-university advanced level chemistry website material is NOT permitted. Exam revision summaries & references to science course specifications are unofficial. These organic chemistry revision notes on spectroscopy are suitable for use of pre-university students studying AQA advanced level chemistry, Edexcel advanced level chemistry, OCR advanced level chemistry, IB advanced level chemistry, WJEC (Eduqas) advanced level chemistry, CIE advanced level chemistry, CCEA advanced level chemistry, US grade 11-12 AP honors chemistry courses and they will also prove useful to 1st year undergraduate students of chemistry.

TOP OF PAGE