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FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) are two powerful techniques used to characterize the structure and composition of molecules. While both techniques provide valuable information, they differ in the type of information they provide and the principles they employ.
FIR spectroscopy measures the absorption of infrared radiation by a sample, providing information about the functional groups and bonds present in the molecule. It is particularly useful for identifying and characterizing organic functional groups, such as C-H, C-O, and C=O bonds. FTIR spectra are typically presented as a plot of absorbance versus wavenumber (cm^-1).
NMR spectroscopy, on the other hand, measures the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei, such as 1H, 13C, and 15N. It provides information about the chemical environment of these atoms, including their connectivity, hybridization, and neighboring atoms. NMR spectra are typically presented as a plot of chemical shift (ppm) versus intensity.
In summary, FTIR provides information about the functional groups and bonds present in a molecule, while NMR provides information about the chemical environment of specific atoms. Both techniques are valuable tools for structural elucidation and characterization of organic and inorganic compounds.