Signal splitting (AAMC 10 #105)

[ZeroViBritannia]

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The question was how many discrete signals can possibly be observed in the proton NMR spectrum of 1,2-ethanediol? I see how there are 2 discrete signals, but what if the question had asked about how the signals are split? Would it be two singlets, or one singlet and a tripet?

 

[enervate]

Two singlets, I believe. None of the hydrogens have neighboring hydrogens.

edit: Whoops! I drew an entirely incorrect structure when trying to answer this question. Ignore this response!

 

[deh2ase]

Two singlets, alcohol protons are always singlets and the protons bound to the two carbons are all identical so they don't split each other.

 

[Jepstein30]

To add on to the above answer, protons involved in hydrogen bonding (i.e. alcohol hydrogens) are not involved in spin splitting.. so there would be two singlets.