[tel]

I know that in proton NMR hydrogens on adjacent carbons can cause spin coupling, and thus split the peaks of a NMR spectra, but what about hydrogens on adjacent molecules that aren't carbon? For instance, does an adjacent alcohol cause a doublet on an NMR spectra?

[Albert]

For instance, does an adjacent alcohol cause a doublet on an NMR spectra?

It depends. Generally speaking, considering a sample of, say, diluted ethanol, it doesn't.
However, if you have absolute anhydrous ethanol, you'll see two triplets and a multiplet.

[barcrphd]

For instance, does an adjacent alcohol cause a doublet on an NMR spectra?

It depends. Generally speaking, considering a sample of, say, diluted ethanol, it doesn't.
However, if you have absolute anhydrous ethanol, you'll see two triplets and a multiplet.

more than the fact, whether the solution is dilute or not, i think it is whether the proton in question is getting exchanged with the solvent that decides the splitting. taking ethanol itself as the example, if small acidic impurities are present (as in dilute ethanol) the OH proton may get exchanged with the solvent so rapidly that the protons of the neighbouring carbon wont feel their presence. and hence no splitting. on the other hand, take absolute anhydrous ethanol, there is no water, no exchage. the protons on carbon could see and feel the spin of the OH protons. and hence there will be splitting.