Advanced pre-university Organic Chemistry: 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane CH3CH2CH2CH2Br

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Interpreting and explaining the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane

[Author © Dr Phil Brown GRIC, 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 analysis of 1-bromobutane (1H NMR spectra) [updated RE-EDIT]

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 H-1 proton NMR spectroscopy - spectra index

See also comparing infrared, mass, 1H NMR & 13C NMR spectra of 4 halogenoalkane isomers of C4H9Br

and Isomers of molecular formula C4H9X  (where X = F, Cl, Br or I and basic data on NMR chemical shifts)

Practise exam questions based on the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane


Introductory note on the 1H NMR spectra of 1-bromobutane

Students and teachers please note my explanation of the proton NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane is designed for advanced, but pre-university, chemistry courses.

The chemical shift δ splitting pattern effects for 1-bromobutane 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 1-bromobutane molecule).

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

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

1H proton nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane low/high resolution diagrams C4H9Br CH3CH2CH2CH2Br analysis interpretation of chemical shifts ppm spin spin line splitting diagram H1 H-1 nmr for n-butyl iodide 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 - 1-bromobutane here.

The chemical shifts quoted in ppm on the diagram of the H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane 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 1-bromobutane molecule.

1-bromobutane, C4H9Br, CH3CH2CH2CH2Br, CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-Br

The molecular structure and naming of haloalkanes

Interpreting the H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane

In terms of spin-spin coupling from the possible proton magnetic orientations, for 1-bromobutane I have only considered the interactions of non-equivalent protons on adjacent carbon atoms e.g. -CH2-CH3, R-CH2-CH2-X, protons etc.

For relatively simple molecules, the low resolution H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane is a good starting point (low resolution diagram above).

The 9 hydrogen atoms (protons) of 1-bromobutane occupy 4 different chemical environments so that the low resolution NMR spectra should show 4 principal peaks of different H-1 NMR chemical shifts (diagram above for 1-bromobutane).

CH3CH2CH2CH2Br 

Note the proton ratio 3:2:2:2 of the 4 colours of the 9 protons of 1-bromobutane in the 4 chemically different proton environments

Chemical shifts (a) to (d) on the H-1 NMR spectrum diagram for 1-bromobutane.

Although there are 9 hydrogen atoms in the molecule, the proton NMR spectrum shows there are only 4 possible different chemical environments for the hydrogen atoms in 1-bromobutane molecule.

The integrated signal proton ratio 3:2:2:2 observed in the high resolution H-1 NMR spectrum, corresponds with the structural formula of 1-bromobutane.

The high resolution 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane

The high resolution spectra of 1-bromobutane also shows 4 groups of proton resonances and in the 3:2:2:2 ratio expected from the structural formula of 1-bromobutane, but we can now consider the splitting of resonance lines from the spin-spin coupling in the molecule of 1-bromobutane.

The ppm quoted on the diagram represent the peak of resonance intensity for a particular proton group in the molecule of 1-bromobutane - 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 1-bromobutane below.

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

1H NMR resonance (a) 1H Chemical shift 0.90: CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-Br

The 1H resonance is split into a 1:2:1 triplet by the adjacent CH2 protons (n+1 = 3).

Evidence for the presence of a CH2 group in the molecule of 1-bromobutane

1H NMR resonance (b) 1H Chemical shift 1.31 ppm: CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-Br

This resonance is split into 1:5:10:10:5:1 sextet by the CH3 and CH2 protons on either side (n+1 = 6).

Evidence for the presence of a CH3-CHx-CH2 grouping in the molecule of 1-bromobutane (x can be 1 or 2, as in this case).

1H NMR resonance (c) 1H Chemical shift 1.82 ppm: CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-Br

This resonance is split into 1:4:6:4:1 quintet  by the CH2 and CH2 protons on either side (n+1 = 6).

Evidence for the presence of a CH2-CHx-CH2 grouping in the molecule of 1-bromobutane (x can be 1 or 2, as in this case).

1H NMR resonance (d) 1H Chemical shift 3.51 ppm : CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-Br

The 1H resonance is split into a 1:2:1 triplet by the adjacent CH2 protons (n+1 = 3).

Evidence for the presence of another CH2 group in the molecule of 1-bromobutane.

Note the decreasing effect on the 1H chemical shift as the proton is further from the more electronegative bromine atom in 1-bromobutane.

QUESTIONS

Advanced A-level chemistry - practise exam questions on the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane

This is a joint AI-doc b experiment!

Jot down your responses and check out the answers:  ANSWERS

If you think there are any errors, please email me asap at chem55555@hotmail.com

I don't mind if students/teachers do a selected printout of these questions and answers.


Question 1 The structure of 1‑bromobutane is: CH3CH2CH2CH2Br

In its ¹H NMR spectrum, how many distinct proton signals are observed?

A. 2     B. 3     C. 4      D. 5


Question 2 – integration pattern

Which integration pattern best matches the ¹H NMR of 1‑bromobutane?

A. 3H : 2H : 2H : 2H

B. 2H : 2H : 2H : 2H

C. 3H : 3H : 2H : 2H

D. 1H : 2H : 3H : 2H


Question 3 Which group in 1‑bromobutane gives the most downfield (highest ppm) ¹H NMR signal?

A. CH3    B. CH3CH2    C. CH2CH2 (middle CH2)    D. CH2Br


Question 4 In 1‑bromobutane, what is the expected splitting pattern for the terminal CH3 group in the ¹H NMR spectrum?

A. Singlet     B. Doublet     C. Triplet     D. Quartet


Question 5 – splitting of the CH2–Br group

What is the expected splitting pattern for the CH2Br group in 1‑bromobutane?


Question 6 You are given two spectra: one for 1‑bromobutane and one for 2‑bromobutane. Which feature would most clearly indicate the spectrum is 1‑bromobutane?

A. A single ¹H NMR signal integrating to 10H

B. A downfield triplet (2H) around 3–4 ppm from CH2Br

C. A singlet (1H) around 2 ppm from a CH–Br proton

D. No signals above 1 ppm

Correct answer: B


If you think there are any errors, please email me asap at chem55555@hotmail.com

Jot down your responses and check out the answers:  ANSWERS


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) and applied to the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane.

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
Comparing the infrared, mass, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of the 4 halogenoalkane isomers of C4H9Br

NOTE: The images are linked to their original detailed spectral analysis pages AND can be doubled in size with touch screens to increase the definition to the original 1-bromobutane, 2-bromobutane, 1-bromo-2-methylpropane and 2-bromo-2-methylpropane image sizes.  These four molecules are structural isomers of molecular formula C4H9Br and exemplify the infrared, mass, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of lower aliphatic halogenoalkanes (haloalkanes, alkyl halides, bromoalkanes, alkyl bromides).

INFRARED SPECTRA (above): Apart from the significant differences in the fingerprint region at wavenumbers 1500 to 400 cm-1, there are no other great striking differences, but each could be identified from its infrared spectrum.

MASS SPECTRA (above): All four give the parent molecular ions of m/z 136 and 138, but it is only a relatively tiny peak for 2-bromobutane and 2-bromo-2-methylpropane. All four give the base ion peak of m/z 57. All four give prominent peaks for m/z ions 27, 29, 39 and 41 and all give a tiny peak from an ionised iodine atom at m/z 127. They look quite similar to me and lack a clear fingerprint fragmentation pattern. There are small differences in the relative abundances (peak heights) for pairs of ions involving 79Br/81Br isotopes e.g. m/z 93/95, 107/109 and 121/123. 1-bromo-2-methylpropane is the only one of the four to have a prominent peak for the m/z 43 ion.

1H NMR SPECTRA (above): The 1H NMR spectra of all four molecules give different integrated proton ratios i.e.1-bromobutane four peaks of ratio 3:2:2:2; 2-bromobutane four peaks of ratio 3:3:2:1, 1-bromo-2-methylpropane three peaks of ratio 6:2:1 and 2-bromo-2-methylpropane gives just one peak '1' (effectively no ratio involved), so all four molecular structures can be distinguished from each other by their 1H NMR spectra proton ratios, numbers of peaks and (n+1) rule splitting patterns.

13C NMR SPECTRA (above): The 13C NMR spectra of the four molecules show various numbers of carbon-13 chemical environments i.e 1-bromobutane and 2-bromobutane show four 13C NMR resonances, 1-bromo-2-methylpropane three 13C NMR resonances and 2-bromo-2-methylpropane only two 13C resonances. Therefore 1-bromo-2-methylpropane and 2-bromo-2-methylpropane can be distinguished from the other three by their number of resonances in their 13C NMR spectra, but 1-bromobutane and 2-bromobutane cannot be distinguished from each other from their number of 13C NMR resonance lines - other data would be required.

Key words & phrases: C4H9Br CH3CH2CH2CH2Br Interpreting the proton H-1 NMR spectra of 1-bromobutane, low resolution & high resolution proton nmr spectra of 1-bromobutane, H-1 nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane, understanding the hydrogen-1 nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane, explaining the line splitting patterns from spin-spin coupling  in the high resolution H-1 nmr spectra of 1-bromobutane, revising the H-1 nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane, proton nmr of 1-bromobutane, ppm chemical shifts of the H-1 nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane, explaining and analyzing spin line splitting in the H-1 nmr spectrum, how to construct the diagram of the H-1 nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane, how to work out the number of chemically different protons in the structure of the 1-bromobutane organic molecule, how to analyse the chemical shifts in the hydrogen-1 H-1 proton NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane using the n+1 rule to explain the spin - spin coupling ine splitting in the proton nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane deducing the nature of the protons from the chemical shifts ppm in the H-1 nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane examining the 1H nmr spectrum of  1-bromobutane analysing the 1-H nmr spectrum of 1-bromobutane how do you sketch and interpret the H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane interpreting interpretation of the 1H proton spin-spin coupling causing line splitting in the NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane  assignment of chemical shifts in the proton 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane formula explaining spin-spin coupling for line splitting for 1-bromobutane  n-butyl iodide alkyl halide functional group haloalkane halogenoalkane bromoalkane Stick diagram of the relative abundance of ionised fragments in the fingerprint pattern of the mass spectrum of 1-bromobutane. Table of the m/e m/z values and formula of the ionised fragments in the mass spectrum of 1-bromobutane. The m/e m/z value of the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum of 1-bromobutane.  The m/e m/z value of the base ion peak in the mass spectrum of 1-bromobutane. Possible examples of equations showing the formation of the ionised fragments in 1-bromobutane. Revision notes on the mass spectrum of 1-bromobutane. Matching and deducing the structure of the 1-bromobutane molecule from its mass spectrum. Mass spectroscopy of aliphatic halogenoalkanes bromoalkanes alkyl bromides, mass spectra of 1-bromobutane, an isomer of molecular formula C4H9Br How do you interpret the H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane How to interpret the H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane Explanatory diagram of the chemical shifts of the 1H H-1 proton NMR spectrum of the 1-bromobutane molecule in terms of its molecular structure. Listing data of all the chemical shift peaks in ppm in the proton NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane. How to explain the H-1 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane. The chemical shifts and  integrated values of the proton ratios in the 1-H NMR spectrum of the 1-bromobutane molecule. How to work out the molecular structure of the 1-bromobutane molecule from its proton NMR spectrum. The uses and distinctive features of the proton NMR spectrum of the 1-bromobutane molecule explained. What does the H-1 proton NMR spectrum chemical shifts tell us about the structure and properties of the 1-bromobutane molecule? explaining the spin-spin proton coupling effects in the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane. interpretation diagram explaining the proton splitting pattern produced from the n+1 rule and the theoretical ratio of chemical shift δ and values of intensities for the proton NMR spectrum lines of 1-bromobutane


Links associated with 1-bromobutane

The chemistry of HALOGENOALKANES (haloalkanes) revision notes INDEX

The infrared spectrum of 1-bromobutane (n-butyl bromide)

The mass spectrum of 1-bromobutane (n-butyl bromide)

The C-13 NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane (n-butyl bromide)

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

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ANSWERS

Advanced A-level chemistry - practise exam questions on the 1H NMR spectrum of 1-bromobutane

If you think there are any errors, please email me asap at chem55555@hotmail.com

I don't mind if students/teachers do a selected printout of these questions and answers.


Question 1 The structure of 1‑bromobutane is: CH3CH2CH2CH2Br

In its ¹H NMR spectrum, how many distinct proton signals are observed?

A. 2     B. 3     C. 4      D. 5

Correct answer: C

Explanation: There are four different proton environments:

  • CH3 (methyl at the end)
  • CH2–CH2 (first CH2 next to CH2)
  • –CH2–CH2 (middle CH2)
  • –CH2–Br (CH2 directly bonded to Br)

Each gives a separate signal → 4 signals.

Common misconception: Thinking the two internal CH₂ groups are equivalent— they are not, because one is closer to Br than the other.


Question 2 – integration pattern

Which integration pattern best matches the ¹H NMR of 1‑bromobutane?

A. 3H : 2H : 2H : 2H

B. 2H : 2H : 2H : 2H

C. 3H : 3H : 2H : 2H

D. 1H : 2H : 3H : 2H

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Total protons:

  • CH3 (3H)
  • three CH2 groups (each 2H)

So the integration must be 3H : 2H : 2H : 2H.

Common misconception: Assuming integration numbers must add to a “round” total like 10 or 12—what matters is the ratio, not the absolute numbers.


Question 3 Which group in 1‑bromobutane gives the most downfield (highest ppm) ¹H NMR signal?

A. CH3    B. CH3CH2    C. CH2CH2 (middle CH2)    D. CH2Br

Correct answer: D

Explanation: The CH2 directly attached to bromine is strongly deshielded by the electronegative Br atom, so it appears furthest downfield (largest ppm, typically ~3–4 ppm).

Common misconception: Thinking the CH3 group is always most downfield—actually, CH3 is usually most upfield in simple alkyl chains.


Question 4 In 1‑bromobutane, what is the expected splitting pattern for the terminal CH3 group in the ¹H NMR spectrum?

A. Singlet     B. Doublet     C. Triplet     D. Quartet

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The CH3 group is adjacent to a CH2 group (2 equivalent neighbouring protons). Using the n + 1 rule: n=2 2+1=3triplet.

Common misconception: Forgetting that only equivalent neighbouring protons count in n+1; the CH3 is not directly coupled to all protons in the chain.


Question 5 – splitting of the CH2–Br group

What is the expected splitting pattern for the CH2Br group in 1‑bromobutane?

A. Triplet    B.    Quartet C.    Doublet    D. Multiplet with no clear pattern

Correct answer: A

Explanation: CH2Br is adjacent to a CH2 group (2 equivalent protons). Using n+1: n=23triplet.

Common misconception: Thinking bromine causes splitting—halogens like Br and Cl do not normally cause observable proton splitting in ¹H NMR.


Question 6 You are given two spectra: one for 1‑bromobutane and one for 2‑bromobutane. Which feature would most clearly indicate the spectrum is 1‑bromobutane?

A. A single ¹H NMR signal integrating to 10H

B. A downfield triplet (2H) around 3–4 ppm from CH2Br

C. A singlet (1H) around 2 ppm from a CH–Br proton

D. No signals above 1 ppm

Correct answer: B

Explanation: 1‑bromobutane has a CH2–Br group giving a downfield triplet (2H) around 3–4 ppm. 2‑bromobutane has a CH–Br (secondary carbon), giving a 1H signal with a different splitting pattern (often multiplet, sextet), not a 2H triplet.

Common misconception: Thinking any bromine‑containing alkane will show the same CH₂–Br pattern—position of Br (primary versus secondary) changes both integration and splitting.


If you think there are any errors, please email me asap at chem55555@hotmail.com

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