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8: Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT) Spectroscopy

  • Page ID
    332808
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    Review

    • You can tell how many hydrogens are present on a particular carbon in a 13C NMR spectroscopy by measuring the height of the peaks. [ True or False ].
    • The 13C isotope has [ low or high ] abundance.
    • The abundance of 13C means that the sensitivity of 13C NMR spectroscopy is [ low or high ].

    APT and DEPT

    Both the APT (Attached Proton Test) and (DEPT) Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer are both experiments used for determining the number of protons attached to each carbon in a 13C spectrum. Both experiments yield 13C NMR spectra where the number of attached protons (the multiplicity) is encoded in the phase of the 13C NMR signals.

    • APT spectra have quaternary carbons, and methylene carbons phased negative and methine and methyl carbons phased positive.
    • DEPT-135 spectra show no quaternary carbons and have methylene carbons phased negative and methine and methyl carbons phased positive.

    DEPT is an NMR experiment that involves the transfer of polarization from an excited nucleus to another – most commonly 1H → 13C.

    • This is helpful because the abundance of 1H is [ greater or lower ] 13C so the transfer of polarization can increase the sensitivity.

    DEPT Spectroscopy Analysis*

    * All spectra are either from SDBS (Japan National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) or simulated.

    The DEPT experiment differentiates between CH, CH2 and CH3 groups by variation of the selection angle parameter:

    • 45° angle gives all carbons with attached protons
    • 90° angle gives only CH groups, the others being suppressed
    • 135° angle gives CH and CH3 peaks pointing up with CH2 peaks pointing down
    • Signals from quaternary carbons and other carbons with no attached protons are always absent.

    For example, consider the spectrum of 4-methyl-2-pentanone.clipboard_e3bb235a35b765e8574bc67f062591597.png

    • Draw a predicted 13C peaks with chemical shifts of this compound.

    clipboard_ed9fa210070150d9bc6ce6e559a4aa92a.png

    • Draw a predicted DEPT 135 spectrum of this compound.

    clipboard_ea009ad964515b68a4aa3a228d2b881dc.png

    Examples of DEPT Data

    Sometimes you will get a series of all DEPT angles for your compound.

    For example, here is the DEPT spectra for 4- methyl-2-pentanone. clipboard_e3bb235a35b765e8574bc67f062591597.png

    clipboard_e3ddf2816eca93cdd6cbcb7668bab44e5.png

    • Which carbon is represented by the only peak in the DEPT 90?
    • Which carbon is represented by the peak is pointing down in the DEPT 135?
    • What peak is missing compared to the 13C NMR?

    Often, you will only get the DEPT 135.

    • Why do you think that people often only obtain the DEPT 135?

    DEPT Application Problems

    Part 1. Propose a structure for these compounds based on the molecular formula and the 13C spectra.

    a. C8H10

    clipboard_e26a2918f66089c7ab000751586fa0b0b.png

    b. C10H12O2

    clipboard_e8280ebb3197fd7b4310219b7bca937d9.png

    c. C5H10

    clipboard_e0ecbf17eaa9eb3d03b0ef58ba057aee6.png

    c. C6H10

    clipboard_e290a86350eaddbc5cc64e8f4f2d17652.png

    Practice DEPT & IR Problems

    Suggest a structure for a compound that would fit with the spectra and molecular formula given.

    1. C6H10O2

    clipboard_e5f8d921513c64c3735f89dcd476afa7a.png

    clipboard_ebcdec4c5200e43fc54c14e10df0befd0.png

    2. C6H12O2

    clipboard_e8cbf500bd357117fdba9fe7884b59d4a.png

    clipboard_e06899c9336535d7198f47a4bfa5b9055.png


    This page titled 8: Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT) Spectroscopy is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kate Graham.