Understanding NMR Spectroscopy

Having spent several years as a graduate student working with solid state NMR spectroscopy, I have had ample time to survey the array of NMR texts on the market. James Keeler's text is one of the best I have found, combining coherent writing with a level of depth sufficient to lay the foundation of a graduate education. I would recommend it to anyone looking to study the practical aspects of NMR spectroscopy.

Probably the best book I read on NMR theory. Clear and easy to understand, you just need to work through every example and problem. I used to teach out of "NMR Spectroscopy Explained: Simplified Theory, Applications and Examples for Organic Chemistry and Structural Biology" by Niel Jacobsen but this book far surpasses it.

Dr. Keeler's is called "Understanding NMR spectroscopy", and that is exactly what it will help you do. He makes very few assumptions about previous knowledge of math and quantum physics. He explains abstract concepts using good analogies. I have tried to read multiple NMR textbooks, and this is by far the most readable... Excellent work Dr. Keeler.... However you should realise what this book is NOT. It is not about how to record and analyze bench-top NMR data and it is not an advanced textbook, but aimed for people new to the field with need to understand how an NMR experiment works.

Do not be intimidated by the math. All the math, except matrix, that is needed can basically be found in Appendix A. There is nothing complex in the math used throughout the book. All the mathematical manipulations are presented in a step by step fashion. The book deals mainly with the most popular nmr techniques such as COSY, DQF-COSY and NOE. Because the book focuses on the theoretical aspects of nmr, it hardly touches on any spectrum interpretations. Sometimes, I feel the book a little bit dry. Virtual coupling, an important concept in TOCSY, is not discussed in Keeler's book. However, do not get me wrong. This is a book I enjoy reading very much. The chapters on relaxation and coherence transfer pathway, phase cycle and pulsed of field gradient are well presented.

Dr James Keeler is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Selwyn College. In addition to being actively involved in the development of new NMR techniques, he is also responsible for the undergraduate chemistry course, and is Editor-In-chief of Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry. Dr Keeler is well-known for his clear and accessible exposition of NMR spectroscopy.