19: Advanced Solution Spectroscopic Techniques

The word ‘spectroscopy’ is derived from the Latin spectrum meaning ‘image’ or ‘apparition’ and the Greek skopéō meaning ‘to see’. Solution based spectroscopies can be used individually or in combination to ‘see’ the species present in a reaction solution and so aid us in the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and the development of catalyst structure–property relationships. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the available spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques for such studies – NMR, ESR, IR, Raman, UV/Vis and XAS spectroscopies and mass spectrometry – drawing on examples from the literature to illustrate the scope and limitations of each technique.