Making atomic nuclei spin - elucidating the structure of organic compounds with NMR spectroscopy

In the 2025/26 school year, the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences is once again opening its digital lecture hall to upper secondary school students. In a series of online lectures, central and curriculum-relevant topics of chemistry will be addressed - vividly conveyed by experienced teachers and supplemented with current references to research. This provides a lively insight into exciting questions and methods of modern chemistry. Teachers from schools are also cordially invited!

This time:
NMR spectroscopy is one of the most important methods of structure elucidation in organic chemistry. It is based on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with atomic nuclei and enables precise statements to be made about how atoms in a molecule are connected to each other. The investigation of hydrogen and carbon nuclei in particular provides valuable information on the basic framework of organic structures. In addition to chemical applications, the course also covers medical magnetic resonance imaging. The course explains the structure and function of an NMR spectrometer and shows how structural information can be obtained from NMR spectra.