Deuterated compounds are chemical substances that contain deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen. In these compounds, one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium, which has an additional neutron. This substitution can alter the physical and chemical properties of the compound, making deuterated versions useful in various scientific applications. These compounds are commonly used in fields like NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, where their unique properties help researchers analyze molecular structures and dynamics. Deuterated solvents, for example, are essential in NMR experiments to minimize interference from hydrogen signals, allowing for clearer results.