The document discusses methods for determining the chemical structure of an unknown compound through elucidation. Elucidation can be used to identify drug metabolites, drug candidates, and process impurities. It involves using chemical methods like functional group testing and chemical transformations as well as physical measurements of properties and spectroscopy. Different electromagnetic radiations interact with matter in various ways and using radiations of different energies provides different information that can be used to elucidate chemical compounds.

2. Among the most dynamic challenges in the analytical laboratory is the quest to determine the
chemical structure of an unknown compound. The process of elucidation can serve a variety of
purposes, such as the identification and classification of drug metabolites or products being
investigated as drug candidates, quantify compounds, process impurities, etc. Elucidation of
chemical compounds can be done by many different methods.
Chemical methods:
• Functional group testing
• Chemical transformations
Physical measurements:
• Physical properties
• Spectroscopy
Electromagnetic radiations can interact with matter in various ways. Each interaction can
disclose certain properties of that matter and use of electromagnetic radiations of different
energies can give different information about the matter under study