Alfa Chemistry's Selection Guide on Deuterated Solvents for NMR

Deuterated solvents - a group of compounds in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced with deuterium (2H) - are the backbone of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. These solvents are required to make good NMR spectra, especially proton (1H) NMR where the solvent signal can be too strong for the signal being monitored. Using deuterated solvents, the solvent signal is removed to make the spectral analysis clearer and more precise.

Popular NMR Solvents

Some of the most commonly used deuterated solvents in NMR spectroscopy include deuterium oxide (D2O), chloroform-D (CDCl3), dimethyl sulfoxide-D6 (DMSO-D6), methanol-D4 (CD3OD), and acetonitrile-D3 (CD3CN). Alfa Chemistry offers a wide range of high-quality deuterated solvents in various grades, ensuring you have the right tools for your specific needs.

NMR Solvent Technical Tips

Alfa Chemistry implements rigorous quality control protocols to ensure the highest purity and isotopic enrichment of our deuterated solvents. Each lot undergoes thorough testing to guarantee optimal performance in modern high-field NMR instruments. Alfa Chemistry has summarized some NMR solvent use, handling, and storage tips for you below:

01. Measuring Acidity in Deuterium Oxide Solutions

To determine the acidity of deuterium oxide (D2O) solutions, calculate the pD by adding 0.4 to the reading obtained from a glass electrode pH meter.

02. Handling Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)

DMSO has an 18°C melting point and sometimes turns solid because its freezing point is relatively low – not very cold at all. To convert it back to a liquid state, thaw DMSO in a warm water bath, ensuring that water contamination is avoided.

03. Avoiding Isotopic Contamination

To prevent isotopic contamination, especially with deuterated compounds, handle solvents under an inert atmosphere, such as dry nitrogen or argon.

04. Minimizing Water Peaks

Water contamination is a common issue that can degrade NMR spectra. To minimize water peaks:

• Utilize Single-Use Ampoules: Consider using single-use ampoules to prevent exposure to moisture.

• Maintain a Dry Atmosphere: Handle solvents in a dry environment to reduce moisture absorption.

• Dry Sample Preparation Tools: Dry NMR tubes and pipettes thoroughly before use.

• Precondition NMR Tubes: Rinse NMR tubes with D₂O and then with the desired solvent to minimize water exchange.

05. Preserving TMS Concentration

If you do not want the solvents containing TMS to evaporate, then please keep the solvents cool and dry in a refrigerator. It's also important to seal the container well so as not to let in air.

06. General Storage Recommendations

We recommend that you store serum bottles upright in the refrigerator, but do not freeze them, especially for solvents such as chloroform, ether, diglyme, tetrahydrofuran, and TMS.

How do I choose a suitable deuterated solvent for my experiment?

When choosing a deuterated solvent, please consider the polarity, solubility and chemical properties of the analyte, and refer to our NMR solvent data sheet.