How can a chemist verify structural information about a compound?

A chemist can verify structural information about a compound primarily through analytical techniques like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. NMR provides insights into the number of unique hydrogen and carbon environments within a molecule, allowing for detailed information on the molecular structure, including connectivity and stereochemistry. IR spectroscopy, on the other hand, identifies functional groups present in a compound based on the absorption of infrared light by the bonds in the molecule, which reflects their vibrational modes.

These techniques offer powerful, precise methods for elucidating the structure of compounds at a molecular level, making them essential tools in organic chemistry for confirming the identity of synthesized compounds or analyzing unknown substances. This contrasts with counting carbon atoms, which does not provide sufficient information about the overall structure or connectivity, as carbon atoms can be arranged differently in various isomers. Similarly, titration is useful for determining concentrations of solutions but does not impart any structural information about organic compounds. Visual inspection under a microscope may allow for the observation of physical characteristics, but it lacks the capacity to provide detailed structural data pertinent to molecular arrangements and functional groups.