Organic Chemistry Structure Determination

Chemical Shifts

Topic overview

Start with the big picture

Chemical shift (δ) is reported in ppm relative to TMS at 0 ppm, so values can be compared across spectrometers with different field strengths. A higher δ is downfield and indicates deshielding; a lower δ is upfield and indicates shielding. Typical ¹H regions include aromatic signals at 6–8 ppm, aldehydes at 9–10 ppm, and carboxylic-acid OH signals at 10–13 ppm, while ¹³C benchmarks span distinct regions for alkyl, sp, aromatic/alkenyl, and carbonyl carbons. Chemical shifts are influenced by nearby electronegative atoms, hybridization, ring-current anisotropy, and hydrogen bonding. The lesson also connects peak behavior with symmetry, exchangeable protons, solvent signals, temperature, DEPT spectra, and the distinction between chemical shift and splitting.

Learning objectives

What you'll learn

  • Define chemical shift and explain the meaning of upfield and downfield.
  • Recognize common ¹H and ¹³C chemical-shift regions.
  • Relate electronegativity, hybridization, and ring currents to chemical shifts.
  • Describe how hydrogen bonding, symmetry, temperature, and solvent signals affect interpretation.
  • Distinguish chemical shift changes from DEPT responses and heteronuclear splitting.
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