Question: why are deuterated solvents used in nmr spectroscopy?
Answer: Reason 1: To avoid swamping by the solvent signal. ... An ordinary proton-containing solvent would give a huge solvent absorption that would dominate the 1H -NMR spectrum. Most 1H - NMR spectra are therefore recorded in a deuterated solvent, because deuterium atoms absorb at a completely different frequency.