3.9.4

IR Spectroscopy

Test yourself

Infrared Spectroscopy

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is used to identify certain bonds within a compound. This means it's pretty useful in distinguishing between different functional groups.

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Bonds and infrared

  • Infrared radiation is absorbed by any polar bond. Non-polar bonds do not absorb radiation.
  • Polar bonds only absorb radiation of specific frequencies.
  • The absorbed infrared radiation makes the bonds vibrate.
  • The frequency absorbed is specific to each bond.
  • Different bonds in different places can have different frequencies.
    • E.g. An alcohol OH is different to a carboxylic acid OH.
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Common frequencies

  • The frequency is normally reported as a wavenumber.
    • A wavenumber is 1λ\frac{1}{\lambda}, where λ is the wavelength.
  • The image above shows the common frequencies of several different bonds. You don’t need to learn them, as they’ll be supplied in an exam.
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IR spectrum

  • Above is a graph showing the IR spectrum of ethanoic acid.
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Interpreting spectra

  • The section from 1,500 to 500 cm-1 is called the fingerprint region. This is usually full of small peaks and is specific to any molecule.
  • There are large databases of fingerprint regions and you can search for a match to identify your compound.
  • If you don’t have access to a database, most helpful bonds are outside of this region.
    • E.g. The previous slide showed ethanoic acid, which has a peak at 3,000, because of a carboxylic acid OH, and one at 1,720, because of a CO double bond.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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