Identification of the molecular structure of compounds is often an essential part of chemical and biochemical research. In particular, confirmation of a molecule’s precise identity is a precondition for its development into a therapeutic drug product.  

Additionally, if unknown impurities are detected within drug products at a level greater than 0.1% during QC investigations and stability screening, they may also need to be structurally elucidated. This is a key regulatory requirement as the potential toxicity of any impurities needs to carefully assessed to protect patient safety.