Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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Spectroscopic Identification of Organic compounds (DP IB Chemistry: HL)

Exam Questions

1a3 marks

Three important analytical techniques in the chemist's toolkit are Mass Spectrometry, MS, Infrared Spectroscopy, IR and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, NMR.

For each technique identify the characteristic chemical information provided.

1b4 marks

For each of the following, identify their significance in an 1H NMR spectrum: number of peaks, area under each peak, chemical shift and splitting patterns.

1c2 marks

1H NMR spectroscopy uses tetramethylsilane. State its formula and purpose in 1H NMR spectroscopy.

1d3 marks

State three advantages of using TMS in an 1H NMR spectrum.

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2a1 mark

Part of the 1H NMR spectrum of an organic compound is shown below:

7-1

Determine the number of unique hydrogen environments

2b1 mark

Deduce the whole number ratio of the hydrogen environments in the spectrum.

2c4 marks

State the splitting patterns present in the spectrum and suggest what information could be obtained from the patterns.

2d2 marks

Assign peaks X, Y and Z to the correct location shown in the compound:

8-1

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3a2 marks

Outline what chemical information can be obtained about inorganic ionic substances and complex organic molecules from X-ray crystallography studies.

3b2 marks

Explain why X-ray crystallography is not very useful for compounds containing hydrogen.

3c1 mark

Suggest another limitation of X-ray crystallography for organic compounds.

3d1 mark

An electron density map obtain from the X-ray crystallography of copper metal is shown below:

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q3d

Use the diagram to estimate the radius of a copper atom. The units are nm.

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4a2 marks

An organic molecule with molecular formula C2H4O is analysed using MS, IR and 1H NMR. Use section 26, 27 & 28 of the Data booklet to help you answer this question.

The MS is shown below:

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q4a

Determine the relative molecular mass from the spectrum and account for the peak at m/z 29.

4b1 mark

The IR spectrum of the same compound is shown below.

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q4b

Identify the functional group responsible for the peak at X

4c3 marks

The 1NMR spectrum of C2H4O is shown below:

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q4c

Account for the peaks at 2.2 ppm and 9.8 ppm and their relative areas.

4d1 mark

Deduce the displayed structure of this compound from the spectroscopic information.

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5a2 marks

The MS of compound P is shown below. Compound P contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. Use section 26, 27 & 28 of the Data booklet to help you answer this question.

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q5a


Determine the relative formula mass of P and account for the peak at m/z 45.

5b2 marks

The IR spectrum of P is shown below. 

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q5b

Use the spectrum and your answer to part a) to deduce a functional group that could be present in P.

5c2 marks

The 1H NMR spectrum of P is shown below. 

ib-hl-sq-e-21-1-spectroscopic-identification-of-organic-compounds-q5c

Deduce what information can be found from the spectrum.

5d4 marks

A student suggests that P is propan-1-ol. Evaluate all the evidence from the spectra and determine whether the student is correct.

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1a2 marks

Ethane-1,2-diol, C2H6O2, can be distinguished from ethanedioic acid,C2H2O4, by a number of analytic techniques including MS, IR and NMR 

The MS of these molecules is shown below. 

Which spectrum belongs to each molecule? Justify your answer.

 

Spectrum A

q1a_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

Spectrum Bq1a2_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

1b2 marks

The IR spectra of ethane-1,2-diol, C2H6O2, and ethanedioic acid dihydrate,C2H2O4.2H2O, are shown in spectrum C and D. Use Section 26 of the Data Booklet to answer this question.

Spectrum Cq1b_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sqSpectrum D

q1b2_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

Which spectrum belongs to each molecule? Justify your answer.

1c3 marks

The 1H NMR spectrum of ethane-1,2-diol is shown in spectrum E. Explain the significance of the spectrum.

Spectrum Eq1c_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

1d2 marks

Predict the number of 1H NMR signals and splitting pattern for ethanedioic acid. 

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2a3 marks

During the production of an 1H NMR spectrum, tetramethylsilane (TMS) is mixed with the sample. 

i)
Draw the structural formula of TMS. 

ii)
State two reasons why this chemical is suitable to be used as the standard reference compound.
2b1 mark

Predict the number of peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum of 1,3-dichlorobenzene.

2c2 marks

The structural formula of ethylbenzene is shown below in Figure 1

Figure 1q2c_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq  

i)
Predict the number of peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum of ethylbenzene 

ii)
One of the hydrogen atoms in the structure of ethylbenzene shown above is labelled with an asterisk (*).
Use Section 27 from the Data Booklet to suggest a range of δ values for the peak due to this proton in the 1H NMR spectrum of ethylbenzene.
2d1 mark

Predict the splitting patterns of the signals due to the ethyl group found in the 1H NMR spectrum of ethylbenzene.

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3a5 marks

Methyl cinnamate, C10H10O2, is a white crystalline solid used in the perfume industry. A sample of methyl cinnamate was analysed by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

A simplified spectrum is shown below. q3a_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

i)
Name the compound responsible for the peak at a chemical shift of 0 ppm. State its purpose.
 
ii)
Identify the proton environment that causes the peak at a chemical shift of 3.8 ppm by circling it on the structure of methyl cinnamate shown. Justify your answer.

 q3a1_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

3b2 marks

This question is about the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy to distinguish between isomers of C6H12O2

Draw the two esters with formula C6H12O2 that each have only two peaks, both singlets, in their 1H NMR spectra. The relative peak areas are 3:1 for both esters.

3c5 marks

The high resolution 1H NMR spectrum of another isomer of C6H12O2 is shown below.


q3c_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

 

The integration values for the peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum of this isomer, are given below.

Chemical shift, δ/ppm

3.8

3.5

2.6

2.2

1.2

Integration value

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.9

0.9

Splitting pattern

triplet

quartet

triplet

singlet

triplet

 

i)
Deduce the simplest ratio of the relative numbers of protons in each environment in the isomer.

 

ii)
Use Section 27 from the Data Booklet and the information given to deduce the part of the isomer that causes the signal at δ= 3.5 and the part of the structure at the isomer that causes the signal at δ=1.2.
 

Explain why the splitting patterns of these peaks are produced.

3d2 marks

Four isomers of C6H12O2 are shown below.

q3d_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

Which isomer matches the 1H NMR spectrum below? Justify your choice.q3d2_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

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4a1 mark

X- ray crystallography is a spectroscopy technique use to determine structural Information. State two pieces of information found by this technique.

4b2 marks

X ray crystallography enables chemists to produce electron density maps for substances, such as sodium chloride, shown below.q4b_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

Estimate the interionic bond length and state which of the two patterns, A or B, belongs to the chloride ion.

4c3 marks

Using Sections 26 & 27 of the Data Booklet and other sources, state three pieces of different spectroscopic evidence that would give structural information to identify benzene.

4d3 marks

The ester shown below was analysed by high resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy.

q4d_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

The 1H NMR spectrum shown was produced for this ester.

q4d1_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq  

Explain the splitting pattern marked on the spectrum. 

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5a4 marks

An isomer with the molecular formula C5H10O2 was analysed by infrared spectroscopy, to confirm it was a carboxylic acid.

i)
Give the wavenumbers of two characteristic absorptions for a carboxylic acid. Indicate the bond responsible for each absorption. Suggest why one of the absorptions is broad. 

ii)
The 1H NMR spectrum of this isomer contains only two peaks with the integration ratio 9:1. Using this information from the spectra, deduce the structure of the isomer.
5b5 marks

This question is about two aldehydes, 2-aminopropanal and 3-aminopropanal.

q5b_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

 

Explain how 1H NMR spectra can be used to distinguish between these two aldehydes. You need to reference the splitting patterns and integration pattern in your answer.

5c1 mark

Suggest how the two isomers in part b) could be distinguished using mass spectroscopy.

5d7 marks

A compound X has a molecular formula of C6H14O. The infrared spectrum and 1H NMR spectrum of compound X are shown below.  q5d_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sqq5d1_21-1_ib_hl_medium_sq

Use Section 26 from the Data Booklet, deduce the structure of compound X. Justify each of your deductions.

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1a2 marks

Malonic acid, C3H4O4, is naturally occurring and found in many fruits and vegetables. It contains only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

The MS of malonic acid is show below.

ib-hl-21-1-q1a

Determine the relative molecular mass of malonic acid from the spectrum and account for the peak at m/z 45, using section 28 of the Data booklet to support your answer.

1b3 marks

The 1H NMR spectrum of malonic acid is shown below. Use section 27 of the Data booklet to help you with this question.

ib-hl-21-1-q1b

Suggest the identity of the proton environments seen in the spectrum and comment on the type of signals shown.

1c3 marks

The IR spectrum of malonic acid is shown below:

ib-hl-21-1-q1c
i)
Identify two characteristic peaks and bonds that can be found in the spectrum of malonic acid.
[2]
ii)
Explain how the spectrum can be used to distinguish malonic acid from ethanoic acid.
[1]
1d1 mark

Draw a displayed structure for malonic acid.

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2a4 marks

An organic compound, Q, of molecular formula CxHyOz, has the following MS. Use section 28 of the Data booklet to help you answer this question.

ib-hl-21-1-q2a
i)
Determine the relative molecular mass of Q and account for the peaks at 15 and 29.
[2]

ii)
Comment on the size of the peak at m/z 43.
[1]
iii)
Write an equation for the formation of the fragment at m/z 29.
[1]
2b1 mark

The IR spectrum of Q is shown below. 

ib-hl-21-1-q2b

Suggest which functional group(s) could be present in Q.

2c5 marks

The 1H NMR spectrum of Q is shown below.

10EqPbEg_ib-hl-21-1-q2c

Explain the relative peaks heights and splitting patterns

2d3 marks

Suggest the identity of Q, giving your reasons.

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3a2 marks

Compound A, has molecular formula C5H10 and occurs as 6 isomers. The table below shows the number of signals in the NMR spectrum of each isomer.

Isomer Number of 1H NMR signals
A 1
B 5
C 5
D 5
E 5
F 4

Suggest a structure for A and F.

3b3 marks

The IR spectrum of A is shown below.

21-1q3b

How does this spectrum distinguish A from the other isomers?

3c1 mark

Evaluate whether X-ray crystallography could distinguish between the isomers of A.

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4a1 mark

Oseltamivir is a drug used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B.

ap7K2wLr_21-1q4a

Predict the number of different proton environments in the molecule.

4b2 marks

Predict the chemical shift and the splitting pattern seen for the hydrogens on the carbon atom circled in the diagram. Use section 27 of the Data booklet.

4c3 marks

Predict three absorptions you would expect to see in the IR spectrum of oseltamivir. Use section 26 of the data booklet. 

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5a3 marks

Ibuprofen is an important painkilling drug. The structure is:

21-1q5a3

Part of the low resolution 1H NMR spectrum is shown below.

21-1q5a

The high resolution expansion of the peaks in B-F is:

8lvse2bn_21-1q5a2

The protons responsible for the peaks are numbered 1-7:

GXEnDSFZ_21-1q5a4

Complete the table to show the assignment of the missing peaks. 

Peak H atoms responsible
A 3 & 4
B  
C  
D  
E  
F  
off spectrum X
5b2 marks

A sample of ibuprofen shows strong absorptions at 1716 cm-1 and 3345 cm-1 in an IR spectrum. Suggest the bonds responsible for these absorptions using section 26 of the data booklet. 

5c1 mark

A sample of ibuprofen rotates plane polarised light. Identify the feature in ibuprofen responsible for this.

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