Laboratory Excellence and AccreditationSpectroscopy Techniques and Molecular Identification
Identifying an unknown compound usually requires several spectroscopic techniques used together, because each answers a different question about the molecule. This course covers reading them as a set. Delegates work through ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy and what it says about conjugation, infrared and the functional groups it identifies, nuclear magnetic resonance for the carbon and hydrogen framework, and mass spectrometry for molecular mass and fragmentation. Sample preparation and the artefacts it introduces are covered throughout. The course is built around structured interpretation exercises, working from a set of spectra to a defensible structure rather than to a guess.
Course objectives
- Explain what each technique measures and the question it answers
- Interpret ultraviolet and visible spectra for conjugation
- Identify functional groups from an infrared spectrum
- Read proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectra
- Interpret molecular ion and fragmentation patterns in mass spectra
- Prepare samples without introducing misleading artefacts
- Combine several spectra into a defensible structural assignment
Who should attend
- Analytical chemists and laboratory analysts
- Quality control and research laboratory staff
- Method development scientists
- Graduate chemists entering laboratory roles
- Technical staff interpreting spectroscopic reports
Course outline
- 01What each technique measures
- 02Ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy
- 03Infrared spectroscopy and functional groups
- 04Proton nuclear magnetic resonance
- 05Carbon nuclear magnetic resonance
- 06Mass spectrometry and fragmentation
- 07Sample preparation and artefacts
- 08Combined interpretation exercises
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 6 November 2026 | Gaborone, Botswana | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 9 to 13 November 2026 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 7 to 11 December 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |