"Simple Web-Based Interactive Visualizations to Illustrate and Explore Concepts in NMR Spectroscopy", Dr Euan D Doidge

An article has been published in the Journal of Chemical Education!

"Simple Web-Based Interactive Visualizations to Illustrate and Explore Concepts in NMR Spectroscopy"

E. D. Doidge, September 2025

? Access the resource: https://chem-ed.github.io/NMR/

? Read the paper: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c00985

The interpretation of NMR spectra is a fundamental skill for chemists. Multiple strategies and resources support the teaching and learning of NMR spectroscopy, such as worked examples and question banks. A challenge in NMR spectral interpretation is cognitive overload, especially for beginners who must assimilate new information alongside existing knowledge of molecular structure. A useful strategy is to provide visualizations of spectra. However, existing software solutions (often requiring purchase or installation) can be convoluted, with excess features for a beginner and a focus on organic molecules and 1H/13C NMR spectra. This work provides freely accessible, web-based interactive visualizations to support the teaching and learning of NMR spectroscopy (https://chem-ed.github.io/NMR/). These are designed to be simple, focus on defined concepts with minimal distractions, and increase interactivity to enhance engagement. These cover fundamental topics such as chemical shift, multiplicity, and J coupling constants, of use to learners relatively new to NMR spectral interpretation, as well as more complex areas like decoupling and successive coupling. A notable feature is the ability to consider coupling to quadrupolar nuclei (I > 1/2) and isotopes with <100% natural abundance forming satellite signals─concepts often overlooked but essential to inorganic chemistry and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, providing resources for more advanced learners.

Learn more about the Centre for Chemistry Education here