Sem-III - Unit - IV (NQR and Epr Spectroscopy)
Sem-III - Unit - IV (NQR and Epr Spectroscopy)
anisotropy in hyperfine coupling. Double resonance in ESR, Zero field splitting and
Kramer’s degeneracy.
spherical, axially symmetric fields and not axially symmetric fields. Applications of
NQR spectra
The basic concepts of EPR are analogous to the nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR), but it is electron spins that are excited instead of the spins of atomic
nuclei.
organic radicals.
One of the most important uses of ESR technique lies in the detection of
reactions.
For an isolated electron, without any outside forces, it has only an intrinsic
words, the electron due to its charge and angular momentum, acts like a little bar
The electron with spin 1/2, the parallel state () is designated as ms = –1/2 and
the antiparallel () state is ms = +1/2 (Fig. 1A). The energy of each orientation is the
E = B0 where, = ms g β
β is a conversion constant called the Bohr magneton (also called B) and ge is
the spectroscopic g-factor of the free electron and equals 2.0023192778 (2.00).
as follows
E = ms g β B0
Spine-Orbit Interaction
Consider an electron placed in an atom or molecule (Fig. 1B). The spin angular
These two magnetic moments couple with each other called spin-orbit interaction
the nucleus containing the unpaired electron. Therefore, organic free radicals, with
only H, O, C, and N atoms will have a small contribution from spin-orbit coupling,
producing g-factors very close to ge. In the above system, spin-orbit coupling are
negligible. While the g-factors of much larger elements, such as metals and their
complexes, may be significantly different from ge. Hence, the term EPR is used for
magnetic field B0 which, splits the energy levels of the ground state by
The value of g can be determined from the ΔE, the energy difference between
the two spin levels. This can be done by both irradiating the sample either with MWs
with a fixed frequency and sweeping the magnetic field or applying a constant
The direct detection of the absorption signal is possible only for samples
technique was used to reduce the noise and gives the first derivative of signal as
shown in Fig. 2.
absorption signals are usually broad and hyperfine splitting are buried and not seen
(Fig. 2B). However, the derivative signal observed using field modulation exhibits
(Figure 2: Absorption and first derivative electron paramagnetic resonance spectra for single line (A)
1. An unpaired electron can gain or lose angular momentum, which can change
the value of its g-factor, causing it to differ from ge. This is important for
2. The magnetic moment of a nucleus with a non-zero nuclear spin will affect
any unpaired electrons associated with that atom. This leads to the
splitting the EPR resonance signal into doublets, triplets and so forth.
EPR spectral line. Line shapes can give the information about, for example,
4. The g-factor and hyperfine coupling in an atom or molecule may not be the
molecule (e.g., free radical) and it can provide information about the atomic
1. DPPH has been widely used g-value marker. It has also been used as a
standard also for signal intensity. DPPH is stable in the solid state but
acetonitrile solution).
2. For transition metal samples, S = 1/2 Cu(II) and S = 5/2 Mn(II) are commonly
4. The g-values of some common EPR standards are as follows: DPPH (2.0037 ±
Solvents in EPR
Solvents with high dielectric constant (e.g., water and alcohol) cannot be used,
EPR – obtained for gas, solution, powder, single crystal, frozen solution.
Toluene+chloroform mixture
Hyperfine splitting
This splitting occurs due to hyperfine coupling (the EPR analogy to NMR’s J
coupling) and further splits the fine structure (occurring from spin-orbit interaction)
molecule, most often radicals. The number and identity of nuclei can be determined,
as well as the distance of a nucleus from the unpaired electron in the molecule.
moments arising from the spins of both the nucleus and electrons in atoms. As
(B is magnetic field, μ is dipole moment, ‘N’ refers to the nucleus, ‘e’ refers to the electron)
This spin interaction in turn causes splitting of the fine structure of spectral
approximately 1000 times smaller than fine structure. The figure shows, the
hyperfine structure. This is found simply through the relation F = J+I, where I is the
ground state quantum number and J refers to the energy levels of the system.
The coupling patterns due to hyperfine splitting are the same to that of NMR.
The number of peaks resulting from hyperfine splitting of radicals may be predicted
# of peaks = (2M1I1 + 1) (2M2I2 + 1) ...., for atoms with multiple equivalent nuclei
EPR spectra. A methyl radical has 3 equivalent protons interacting with the unpaired
(Approximate peaks resulting from hyperfine splitting between two unequivalent protons)
When I = 1/2 as in the case for 1H, 19F and 31P, the intensity of the lines produced
follow Pascal's triangle. Using the methyl radical example, the 4 peaks would have
relative intensities of 1:3:3:1. The following figures show the different splitting that
(Approximate peaks resulting from hyperfine splitting between two equivalent protons)
It is important to note that the spacing between peaks is 'a', the hyperfine
coupling constant. This constant is equivalent for both protons in the equivalent
Fermi contact interaction and dipole interaction. Dipole interactions occur between
the magnetic moments of the nucleus and the electron (electron moves around a
nucleus).
When this magnetic moment moves very close to the nucleus, results electron and
nucleus are in contact radically and the removal of dipolar interaction. The
interaction of these magnetic moments occurs when the electron is outside the
called Fermi contact interaction. A comparison of this is shown in the figure. The
sample orientation to the magnetic field does not affect the interaction. Due to the
fact that, this interaction only occurs when the electron is inside the nucleus, only
electrons in the s orbital exhibit this kind of interaction. All other orbitals (p,d,f)
contain a node at the nucleus and can never have an electron at that node. The
orientation does change the interaction. These interactions depend on the distance
9|Page NMCP – DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY (PG)
between the electron and nuclei as well as the orbital shape. The typical scheme is
between the electronic spin S and the nuclear spin I. The magnitude of this
interaction in ESR spectra is analogous to the fine structure, i.e., nuclear spin-spin
interaction in NMR spectra. As a result of this interaction, the ESR signals or peaks
spins.
2. The electron spin density in the immediate vicinity of the nucleus (Fermi
contact)
5. The intensity ratio is obtained using Pascal triangle (analogous to NMR spin-
spin coupling)
illustrate and characterize the radicals: (1) hydrogen atom; (2) methyl radical;
radical, etc.
It contains an unpaired electron with S = 1/2 and a proton with nuclear spin I =
1/2 (ms = ± 1/2 and mI = ± 1/2). In the absence of magnetic field (B0 = 0), the electron
spin energy levels are degenerate, i.e., have the same energy (Fig. 3). By applying the
magnetic field, produce the degeneracy between them (the ms = – 1/2 sublevel going
down and the ms = + 1/2 sublevel going up). Each of these electron sublevels further
interacts with the nucleus (I = 1/2) giving four sublevels designated by the value of
Δms = ± 1; ΔmI = 0
On using the selection rule, equally intense two ESR lines are obtained, i.e., a
(Figure 3: The energy level diagram (A) and hyperfine structure (B) in the electron spin resonance
It contains an unpaired electron with S = 1/2 and three equivalent protons. Each
proton has a spin I = 1/2. Therefore, the total nuclear spin is I = 3/2. For each ms = ±
1/2, the mI values are +3/2, +1/2, –1/2, –3/2 as shown in Fig. 4. The interpretation of
the ESR spectrum is similar to that of H atom. The ESR spectrum shows four equally
spaced lines, (n + 1), i.e., a quartet in the intensity ratio 1:3:3:1. The spacing between
any two successive lines represents the isotropic coupling constant (A).
In methyl radical,
3. (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (Nitroxide)
is a stable free radical with an unpaired electron delocalized between oxygen and
nitrogen atoms. As, nitrogen has I = 1, each Ms = ±1/2 splits into three levels MI = –1,
This anion radical has one unpaired electron (S = 1/2) interacting with four
1/2 + 1 = 5). For four equivalent protons (I = 2), MI values are +2, 1, 0, –1, –2.
Therefore, the ESR spectrum (Fig. 6) contains a quintet, i.e., five equally spaced lines
5. Cyclopentadienyl Radical
1 = 6). Therefore, the ESR spectrum (Fig. 7) contains a sextet i.e., six equally spaced
lines.
This radical has one unpaired electron (S = 1/2) interacting with six equivalent
1 = 7). Therefore, the ESR spectrum (Fig. 8) contains a septet, i.e., seven equally
spaced lines.
This radical anion consists of one unpaired electron interacting with two sets (α
and β) of four equivalent protons each as shown in Fig. 9. The ESR spectrum would
metal. A green colored solution is obtained whose EPR spectrum is shown below. By
hyperfine splittings, the species formed is consistent with the naphthalene radical
anion.
(Figure 9: ESR spectrum of naphthalene anion radical (K+ is the counter ion) at 298 K)
The structure, experimental spectrum and its stick diagram for the
reconstruction of the spectrum for the p-nitrobenzoate dianion radical are shown in
Fig. 10. The unpaired electron in the molecule first interacts with the 14N (I = 1) with
large splitting (AN) to give a triplet signal of intensity ratio 1:1:1. Furthermore, it
consists of two sets of two equivalent protons. So, each split again into a triplet with
intensity ratio 1:2:1 and again each signal splits into triplet to give overall 27 lines as
shown in Fig. 10. However, there is no way based on the spectrum alone to decide
which splitting corresponds to which set of protons. A comparison was made with
the calculated results and with spectra of similar radicals for which deuterium
substituted radicals have been studied. It indicates that the smallest splitting, A H’, is
associated with the protons closer to the CO2, while the relatively large splitting, AH,
9. Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl Radical
nuclei (I = 1 and n = 2). Hence, the two nitrogen nuclei are equivalent and the
spectrum (Fig. 11) exhibits 2nI + 1 = 5, five lines with intensity ratio: 1:2:3:2:1.
1. For a free electron (S = 1/2, L = 0, J = 1/2), the g-value, 2.0 is determined from
the above equation. However, the actual value for a free electron is 2.0023
2. In the case of gaseous halogen atoms, the g-values predicted by the equation
were found to agree exactly with the observed values. All the halogen atoms
posses the same ground state term (2P3/2, L = 1, S = 1/2, J = 3/2). On substituting
these values in the equation, it yields g = 4/3, identical with the experimental
value.
4. For most free radicals, spin-orbit coupling is very small and negligible. So, the
g-values are nearly equal to the free-electron value. The small deviations
excited states with the ground state. Therefore, the g-values are of limited use
The spin Hamiltonian term describing the interaction between an electron spin
ĤEZ = BBTgŜ
orientation of the molecule with respect to the external magnetic field. The
17 | P a g e NMCP – DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY (PG)
orientation of the molecule can be characterized by the elevation angle θ between
the molecular z-axis and the vector of the magnetic field B. ϕ denotes the angle
between its projection on the molecular xy-plane and the x-axis as shown in
(Orientation of the magnetic field B with respect to the coordinates (x,y,z) of the molecule)
angles and hence the angular dependency of the g-value can be calculated by
2 2 2 1
𝑔 𝜃, 𝜑 = (𝑔𝑋𝑋 𝑆𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 𝐶𝑜𝑠 2 𝜑 + 𝑔𝑌𝑌 𝑆𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 𝑆𝑖𝑛2 𝜑 + 𝑔𝑍𝑍 𝐶𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃) 2
(The elevation angle θ and the azimuth ϕ in a unit sphere representing the molecular coordinate
system (collinear to the principal g-tensor, gxx, gyy, and gzz) and the magnetic field vector B0)
In the case of axial symmetry with gzz = g‖ aligned parallel to the unique axis of
the molecular frame and gxx = gyy = g⊥ aligned perpendicular to this axis, the g-tensor
is given by
species with axial and orthorhombic symmetries are displayed in the figure 1.
(Figure 1: Different pattern of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra due to g-tensor values,
1. The first class is called isotropic, where all of the principal g-factors are the
same.
2. The second class, called either axial elongated (middle top) or compressed
(middle bottom), there is a unique axis that differs from the other two (g x = gy
≠ gz) (Fig. 1). The g-factor along the unique axis is said to be parallel with it, gz
= g‖, while the remaining two axes are perpendicular to it, gx,y = g⊥.
gx ≠ gy ≠ gz (Fig. 1, right).
The hyperfine interaction can also be anisotropic and the form of the spectrum
follows directly from that of the glass spectra for an anisotropic Zeeman interaction.
When the sample is immobilised, the dipolar interaction (as well as the Fermi
contact) give to the observed hyperfine splitting. This gives the electronic and
structural information.
The example below shows spectra for a typical nitroxide with parameters gx =
spectrum is dominated by the hyperfine effects of the 14N nucleus, but at K- and Q-
band frequency the g-value anisotropy is becoming clear, and at W-band frequency
all three g-values and the three hyperfine lines from Ax are determined.
in its orbitals in Fig. 1. Therefore, it does not exhibit EPR signal at room temperature.
electrons (S = 1), which have large ZFS and hence shows no EPR spectra (Fig. 1A).
However, under favourable conditions, it shows one EPR signal (Fig. 1A).
Example 1:
The anisotropic EPR spectrum of the Ni(II) complex in a glassy matrix at 115K
in CH2Cl2 shows g1, g2, and g3 along the three principal axes orientations in Fig. 2.
(Figure 2: Ni(II) complex structure and its anisotropic electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum at
115K in toluene)
Example 2:
Further splittings of the main resonance line, due to hyperfine interactions, are
(to first order) independent of the microwave frequency. The compound, Tempone
and W-bands.
toluene solution is given in the below figure. The g-anisotropy is clearly resolved at
the 2 mm band because of the better g-factor resolution. The hyperfine splitting due
(Anisotropic ESR spectra of monovalent copper complex in frozen toluene solution, (a) 2 mm band
has approximate C2v symmetry, while the actual symmetry is reduced to C2,
dxz, dyz, or dx2-y2, is refer to C2v. The energies of the dxz and dyz orbitals are lowered by
the back-donation of π* orbitals into CO and CNBu ligands. So the SOMO is likely
based on dx2-y2.
Although the isotropic spectrum was not clearly determined, the previous
coupling in this range, all three matrix components must have the same sign. If the
Example 5:
The 59
Co hyperfine components must have identical signs. If the signs are
negative, the isotropic couplings almost definitely arise from the polarization of
Example 6:
analyzed. The axes were defined as follows: z is along the CH bond, y is in the
x 2.0028 19 4
y 2.0035 28 3
z 2.0033 9 2
Example 7:
shown in below,
The g- and 14N hyperfine matrices are approximately axial for this radical, but
the g‖ axis lies close to the perpendicular plane of the hyperfine matrix. If the g ‖ axis
was exactly in the A⊥ plane, the three negative going to g‖, A⊥. In fact, the spacing
Principle
In the steady state ENDOR experiment, an EPR transition (A, D) called the
observer and is partly saturated by microwave radiation of amplitude B1, while radio
frequency field of amplitude B2 called the pump, induces nuclear transitions. The
transitions frequencies γ1 and γ2 obey the NMR selection rules, ΔMI = ±1 and ΔMs =
0. Both the hyperfine coupling constant (a) and the nuclear Larmor frequencies are
application of two RF (RF1 and RF2) fields to the sample. The change in signal
Applications
theoretically produces 175 lines due to the three sets of unequivalent protons (Fig. 1).
By comparison, the ENDOR spectrum produces only three pairs of lines (one for
each set of equivalent nuclei) from which the hyperfine couplings can be determined
directly.
2. Phenalenyl radical
The phenalenyl radical has two sets of unequivalent protons (i.e., a set of 6
and a set of 3 protons). Since the number of lines produced in an EPR spectrum is
2nI + 1, where n = number of equivalent nuclei. The first set of protons produces a
septet of lines and the second set of protons produces a quartet of lines. The EPR
spectrum produces only four lines, with separations of 5.09 MHz and 17.67 MHz and
The ENDOR spectrum for [VOIV(H2O)5]2+ system was taken to the parallel and
component of the axial proton and the perpendicular component of the equatorial
proton. Two sets of features are observed, one with a coupling of 6.3 MHz
corresponding to A‖ for the axial protons and the other with a coupling of –4.4 MHz
Assuming, a purely dipolar interaction between the protons and the electron
and the spectrum recorded at θ = 90°, resulting a coupling of 8.8 MHz corresponding
for the axial protons and the –4.4 MHz coupling described above. It may be obtained
by the axial and equatorial protons of vanadium centre from the distances of 2.90 Å
this species is based on a simple triplet of septets arising from the set of two
equivalent protons in the 5,6 positions on the aromatic ring and the six equivalent
methyl protons.
The ENDOR spectrum shows just three pairs of lines. The splitting constants
for this anion radical (with their relative signs) were therefore found to be: aH(H) = –
2.1 MHz, aH(CH3) = 8.372 MHz, aH(CH3) = 3.752 MHz and aH(OCH3) = 2.324 MHz.
hyperfine couplings to the two N atoms of the heterocyclic dithiadiazolyl ring and
substituents. The hyperfine couplings (A1, A2, A3) were determined as (39, ±2.5, ±2.5)
MHz for 14 N and (~9, ~5, ~5) MHz for 19 F, indicating that the spin distribution is
predominantly localised on the N and S atoms of the heterocyclic ring, a small spin
both X and Q-band frequencies. Analysis of these ENDOR spectra revealed the 19F
hyperfine tensors of (A1, A2, A3) = (11.4, ±3.5, ±3.5) MHz for ortho 19F and (1.0, ±0.19,
respectively for the F atoms ortho- and meta to the dithiadiazolyl ring.
32 | P a g e NMCP – DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY (PG)
Zero field splitting and Kramers’ degeneracy
Consider the species or transition metal ions that contain more than one
unpaired electrons. In such cases, the spin degeneracy can be also resolved by the
crystal field. Thus, the spin levels may be split even in the absence of a magnetic
field due to the crystal field. This phenomenon is called zero-field splitting (ZFS) (D).
(Figure: 1. Zero-field splitting of Cr3+ ion (d3) and Co2+ (d3) high spin (S = 3/2).
There are two cases of species having either odd or even number of unpaired
electrons. For the species containing an odd number of unpaired electrons, the spin
Kramers’ degeneracy. However, for an even number of unpaired electrons, the spin
degeneracy of ground state may be removed completely by the crystal field (Fig. 2).
These concepts and the consequences of ZFS are used to predict how many
EPR peaks are expected for transition metal ion complexes and illustrated below
Consider molecules (in triplet state) or ions with two unpaired electrons (NiII),
i.e., S = S1 + S2 = 1 and hence Ms = –1, 0, +1. The total quantum number S is the sum of
the spin quantum numbers of the unpaired electrons. There are three possible cases,
Case (i) D = 0
In the absence of ZFS, the two possible transitions are expected, 0 → +1, –1 →
0 with the selection rule (Δms = ±1). These two are degenerate and hence only one
Furthermore, splitting occurs by the applied magnetic field. The two resulting
transitions are not now degenerate. Hence, two peaks are observed in the spectrum
When spin-orbit coupling is large resulting in strong ZFS, the energy level
splitting diagram for the triplet state, 3A2g of Ni2+ (d8 ion with t02g e1g) in an octahedral
field is shown in Fig. 2C. There are no EPR transitions observed under normal
conditions because the transition (hυ1) energy is very much greater than MW energy.
Consider, Mn(II) (d5) there are five odd number of unpaired electrons and
hence it exhibits Kramer’s degeneracy. The term symbol for the free ion ground state
is 6S. The ZFS produces three doubly degenerate spin states (Ms = ±5/2, ±3/2, ±1/2)
(Kramer’s degeneracy).
Each of these is split into two singlets by the applied field, producing six
levels. Hence, five transitions (–5/2 → –3/2, –3/2 → –1/2, –1/2 → 1/2, ½ → 3/2, 3/2 →
manganese nucleus (I = 5/2). Thus, five peaks each further split into six hyperfine
components with equal intensities are expected and called hyperfine splitting.
ground state is not largely split by the crystal field, but mainly due to ZFS.
lowest spin state doubly degenerate (Ms = ±1/2). If the ZFS is large, this lowest
doublet will be isolated from the higher lying doublets (Fig. 1, right). Transitions will
then be observed only in the low-lying doublet, and hence the effective spin will
An example is high-spin Co2+ (d7) with three unpaired electrons, i.e., S = 3/2
(Ms = ±3/2, ±1/2). The cubic field leaves a 4F ground state which, as a result of lower
symmetry crystal fields and spin-orbit coupling gives two doublets. The lowest
doublet (Ms = ±1/2) is separated from the next (Ms = ±3/2) by about 200 cm–1. Thus,
the effective spin has a value of 1/2 (S' = 1/2) instead of 3/2 (S = 3/2).
Forbidden Transitions
In V3+ (d2) triplet state the magnitude of the ZFS exceeds the energies of usual
EPR transitions (Fig. 2C). When this happens, it is not possible to observe EPR
transitions with Δms = ±1, but it has been possible to observe a weak transition
corresponding to Δms = 2, i.e., between the ms = ±1 levels. This line was further split
into eight components due to hyperfine splitting because I = 7/2 for V51.
transitions of nuclei can be detected in the absence of a magnetic field and for this
reason NQR spectroscopy is referred to as "zero Field NMR. NQR is used to detect
In NQR, nuclei with spin ≥ 1, such as 14N, 35Cl and 63Cu, also have an electric
quadrupole moment so that their energies are split by an electric field gradient,
Principle
moment. Allowed nuclear energy levels are shifted unequally due to the interaction
of the nuclear charge with an electric field gradient supplied by the non-uniform
ions. The quadrupole moment can be positive or negative, depending on the shape
of the nucleus.
Unlike the NMR case, NQR absorption takes place in the absence of an external
magnetic field. Apply of the external static field to a nucleus splits the quadrupole
levels. Due to symmetry, the shifts become averaged to zero in the liquid phase, so
Orbital Symmetry
electrical gradients are available within certain asymmetrical atomic nuclei. These
Electric-Field Gradient
The inherent electric quadrupole moment and the electric-field gradient of the
nucleus create different energy states. This is analogous to the multiple energy states
in NMR.
In NQR, the required electric field (or the required electric-field gradient)
comes free, (a) the local arrangement of electrons around the nucleus; (b) that
arrangement, depends not only on the nature of the atom but also on its chemical
Any nucleus with more than one unpaired nuclear particle (protons or
neutrons) will have a quadrupole charge distribution. The NQR effect results from
the interaction of this quadrupole with an electric field gradient supplied by the non-
Spinning nuclear charge has electric field, extends outside nucleus. Interacts
MHz.
For axially symmetric systems, the quantized energy levels due to the
Em = e2 q Q [3 m2 – I ( I + 1) / 2 I ( 2 I -1 )]
In the above equation, I is the nuclear spin quantum number, q = ∂2V/ ∂z2, the
electric field gradient in the direction of the axis of symmetry and m, the projection
of I is given by
m = I, I - 1, …… - I + 1, - I
Note that the energy levels depends on m2 and +m and –m values correspond
There are only four known stable nuclei with integer spin: 2H, 6Li, and 14N all
with I = 1, and 10B with I = 3. In addition there are some very long-lived radioactive
isotopes, such as 50V, with I = 6 and 138La with I = 5. Deuterium (2H) and 6Li have very
Much of the NQR work in the literature is for spin 3/2 nuclei, which have two
The results of numerical computations for half-integer spins 5/2, 7/2, and 9/2
(NQR transition frequencies for spins 5/2, 7/2, and 9/2, the dashed lines are weaker transitions,
when η ≠ 0 all possible transitions are extremely weak. The dotted lines in the above
figure indicates that weaker transitions, which are not allowed at all when η = 0 but
Δm=±1
where, the quantity e2qQ is called the nuclear quadrupole coupling constant.
For non-axially symmetric systems, the energy levels deviate further and the
degeneracy of the m ≠ 0 levels is split. The energy levels are then expressed in terms
NQR cannot be used as widely as NMR because of fewer I ≥1 nuclei and the
requirement of the solid state sample. However for compounds containing N and Cl,
good use of NQR has been made to generate the molecular data for e2qQ and η in
the central metal to the empty π* orbitals of the cyano groups affects the field
(Structure of AlBr3 dimer, the terminal bromines absorbs at 113.79 and 115.45 MHz, while bridging
Cl absorption frequencies in MHz for some groups are –COCl (29 - 34), O-C-Cl (19.7
to 32.7), C-Cl (31 - 43), CCl2 (34.5 - 42.5), CCl3 (38 - 42), S-C-Cl (33 to 34.6) and = C-Cl
(36.5 to 39.5). Intermolecular hydrogen bonding reduces the field gradients at nuclei
such as 35Cl and 14N by about 20% and this can be detected in NQR.
For example, consider a chlorine atom bonded to carbon. The size of the
bond, and the value of the asymmetry parameter is proportional to the fractional π
character of the bond. The ionic character or polarity of the C-Cl bond is related to its
p character.
If the chlorine atom tends toward Cl- , its valence shell becomes more
electrons present to some degree in the C-Cl bond when the carbon atom is
most C-Cl bonds have low asymmetry, and η can be set equal to zero.
The NQR frequency (and coupling constant) decreases steadily through the
group increases the ionic character of the C-CI bond. This tendency parallels the
well-known increase in rate of chemical reactions which break the C-CI bond.
(a) 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane
There are several stereo isomers with this formula which are of major interest
to pesticide chemists. The below figures show the NQR spectra of β (a) and γ (b)
isomers. The single resonance of the β isomer indicates that all six chlorines have an
identical environment and the assignment is that, they are all in equatorial position.
On the other hand, the γ isomer (lindane) shows four well-separated lines, the
two inner lines being twice the intensity of the outer pair. The number and intensity
(a) (b)
(b) 2,4-dichlorobenzotrichloride
nuclei. Starting at the left-hand (low-frequency) end of the 35Cl group, the first two
lines are assigned to the para and ortho chlorines, respectively. The CCl3 group does
not give a single line with triple intensity. Instead, the two lines, one twice as strong
as the other, indicate that the rotation of the CCl3 group is sterically hindered by the
presence of the ortho chlorine. In addition, the spectrum shows that NQR spectra
(c) Hexamethylenetetramine
The below figure shows the single resonance obtained at room temperature
and the single line indicates that the asymmetry parameter is zero, in agreement
single bonds; one single, one double; triple bond (cyanide); isocyanide; conjugated
explosive, usually in the range 0.5 to 6 MHz, the energy state of some of the 14
N
After the RF stimulation is removed, the nuclei can return to their original
state, releasing energy and producing a characteristic radio signal. The signal can be
detected using a special radio receiver and be measured for analysis of the
compounds present.
University Questions
1. What is “g” Factor? Explain the significance of “g” value in ESR spectroscopy.
What are the factors which influence the value of “g”? Discuss.
3. Predict the number of ESR lines for the following: (i) Ethyl radical and (ii)
Naphthalene radical.
5. Discuss the fine structure of ESR spectrum of a triplet state with two unpaired
electrons.
spectroscopy.
12. (i) ESR spectrum of the complex ion [Mo(CN)8]3- in solution consists of one
line. If the sample is enriched with 13C, the spectrum consists of nine lines.
Explain the fact [Answer: This can be explained on the basis that Mo(V) in the
complex has d1 configuration and only a single line spectral is expected. But for the
13
C – enriched sample (for 13C, I = 1/2), there will be 2nI+1 or nine lines (Since 8
carbon atoms surround a molybdenum ion)]; (ii) Predict the number of lines in the
13. Indicate the number of resonance lines expected for the following nuclei
I (I = 5/2); η = 0; H0 = 0
N14 (I = 1); η = 0; H0 = 0
As75 (I = 3/2); η = 0; H0 = 0
Sb121 (I = 5/2); η = 1; H0 = 0
14. (i) Why water and alcohol are not suitable solvents for ESR studies? [Answer:
Water, alcohol and other high dielectric constant solvents are not used because they
eight lines in the hyperfine structure of its ESR spectrum. Calculate the spin of