How many sets of protons would be observed in the #""^1H# #"NMR spectrum"# of #"2-butanol"#?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 25, 2017

We gots #H_3C-CHOHCH_2CH_3#

Explanation:

Formally, there are 6 sets of protons......

THe chiral centre at #C2# renders the methylene protons FORMALLY non-equivalent (mind you this is not emphasized in the diagram - it should be!).

There are thus #2xxCH_3#, #1xxCH#, #1xxOH#, and #2xxCH_2#.

pic2fly.com

The spectrum is NOT integrated which is normally a NO-NO, and I hope I have uploaded an allowed format. Just looking at the animation, it represents the purple, methylene hydrogens as EQUIVALENT. They are not; they are diastereotopic.

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