Assessing Spectral Puzzle Solving: Developing Exams for an Undergraduate Course in Structural Analysis

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry are widely utilized techniques for structural identification and verification. They play a crucial role in the education of chemists and students of related scientific disciplines. Assessments often hinge on the students’ ability to deduce the structure of an unknown compound or confirm its identity from a given set of spectra. This process resembles solving a spectral puzzle, wherein pieces of information must be assembled into a coherent overall structure. Despite the importance of such assessments, literature on their development is rare. In this contribution, we present our approach: A five-step process exemplified by the Summer 2023 exam and further illustrated by a retrospective of past exams. We provide guidance for the selection of target compounds and share our experience gained over the years, including the incorporation of specific subtasks aimed at breaking up the process of structural elucidation into smaller steps and enhancing the objectivity of partial credit allocation.