The Chemical Shift (Also Called δ) Scale

Here’s how it works. We decide on a sample we’ll use to standardize our instruments. We take an NMR of that standard and measure its absorbance frequency. We then measure the frequency of our sample and subtract its frequency from that of the standard. We then then divide by the frequency of the standard. This gives a number called the “chemical shift,” also called d, which does not depend on the magnetic field strength. Why not? Let’s look at two examples.

Imagine that we have a magnet where our standard absorbs at 300,000,000 Hz (300 megahertz), and our sample absorbs at 300,000,300 Hz. The difference is 300 Hz, so we take 300/300,000,000 = 1/1,000,000 and call that 1 part per million (or 1 PPM). Now lets examine the same sample in a stronger magnetic field where the reference comes at 500,000,000 Hz, or 500 megahertz. The frequency of our sample will increase proportionally, and will come at 500,000,500 Hz. The difference is now 500 Hz, but we divide by 500,000,000 (500/500,000,000 = 1/1,000,000, = 1 PPM).