
Infrared spectroscopy
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy /spɛkˈtrɒskəpi/ is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to include any int…
What are functional groups in infrared spectroscopy?
Functional groups are the portions in an organic molecule that dictate how the molecule will react. To generate the IR spectrum, different frequencies of infrared light are passed through a sample, and the transmittance of light at each frequency is measured.
What is IR spectroscopy in analytical chemistry?
Analytical Chemistry – Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy. In general, spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between light and matter. Infrared spectroscopy is a particular technique that can be used to help identify organic (carbon-based) compounds. Visible light is just a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,...
What is infrared spectroscopy of organic compounds?
We'll look at the infrared spectroscopy table. Then we will explore infrared spectroscopy of organic compounds. Finally, we will outline some of the key advantages and disadvantages of infrared spectroscopy. Infrared spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to identify the functional groups within organic molecules.
What is infrared spectroscopy and how does it work?
In general, spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between light and matter. Infrared spectroscopy is a particular technique that can be used to help identify organic (carbon-based) compounds. Visible light is just a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and it’s the infrared section of the spectrum that’s utilised in this technique.

How IR spectroscopy can be used to identify compounds?
It works by shining infrared light through the organic compound we want to identify; some of the frequencies are absorbed by the compound, and if we monitor the light that makes it through, the exact frequencies of the absorptions can be used to identify specific groups of atoms within the molecules.
What is IR spectroscopy?
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is an absorption method widely used in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The infrared region of the spectrum includes electromagnetic radiation that can alter the vibrational and rotational states of covalent bonds in organic molecules.
Can IR spectroscopy can be used to identify functional groups in an unknown sample or a mixture?
Infrared spectroscopy is a technique used to identify various functional groups in unknown substances through the identification of different covalent bonds that are present in the compound.
What is IR spectroscopy best for identifying and why?
IR spectroscopy is a great method for identification of compounds, especially for identification of functional groups. Therefore, we can use group frequencies for structural analysis. Group frequencies are vibrations that are associated with certain functional groups.
Which spectroscopy is used to determine functional groups?
IR spectroscopyExplanation: IR spectroscopy is most commonly used to determine the functional groups found in the molecule being observed. This is done by observing the vibration frequencies between atoms in the molecule.
Why do organic chemists use infrared spectroscopy to identify functional groups and not spectroscopy at other wavelengths?
Infrared spectroscopy in organic chemistry is most often used to identify chemical structures from the characteristic adsorption of IR light by different organic functional groups. Thus, the existence of hydroxyl groups, double bonds, and other active parts of a molecule can be deduced.
Can IR spectroscopy distinguish functional isomers?
IR spectroscopy can distinguish between structural isomers because these molecules have different bond strengths, reduced masses, and hence different peak positions (5).
What are the two main applications of IR spectroscopy?
Infrared spectroscopy is widely used in industry as well as in research. It is a simple and reliable technique for measurement, quality control and dynamic measurement. It is also employed in forensic analysis in civil and criminal analysis.
Why IR spectroscopy is useful to identify organic compounds as alkane alkene and alkynes?
The different functional groups present in the structure of a certain organic compound can be predicted by using the infrared spectroscopy. The difference peaks are observed for the different groups of the compound at the different wavenumber in the IR spectra.
What are the two types of IR?
There are two types of infrared sensors: active and passive. Active infrared sensors both emit and detect infrared radiation. Active IR sensors have two parts: a light emitting diode (LED) and a receiver.
What is range of IR spectroscopy?
The infrared range covers 700-1000 nm (wavelength), or 14,286-12,800 cm-1 (wavenumber), and ultraviolet radiation has wavenumbers above these, approximately, 25,000 – 50,000 cm-1, or 100 to 400 nm (wavelength).
What is IR Spectroscopy?
An IR spectrum is essentially a graph plotted with the infrared light absorbed on the Y-axis against. frequency or wavelength on the X-axis. An illustration highlighting the different regions that light can be classified into is given below.
What is the effect of the presence of partial positive and negative charge on the electromagnetic field?
The presence of separate areas of partial positive and negative charge in a molecule allows the electric field component of the electromagnetic wave to excite the vibrational energy of the molecule. The change in the vibrational energy leads to another corresponding change in the dipole moment of the given molecule.
Why do molecules absorb light?
Molecules tend to absorb these specific frequencies of light since they correspond to the frequency of the vibration of bonds in the molecule. The energy required to excite the bonds belonging to a molecule, and to make them vibrate with more amplitude, occurs in the Infrared region. A bond will only interact with the electromagnetic infrared ...
What is the result of a molecule's ability to absorb energy?
For instance, the molecule can absorb the energy contained in the incident light and the result is a faster rotation or a more pronounced vibration.
How to analyze IR spectroscopy?
The IR spectroscopy concept can generally be analyzed in three ways: by measuring reflection, emission, and absorption. The major use of infrared spectroscopy is to determine the functional groups of molecules, relevant to both organic and inorganic chemistry.
How to prepare solid samples?
Solid samples can be prepared by crushing the sample with a mulling agent which has an oily texture. A thin layer of this mull can now be applied on a salt plate to be measured. Liquid samples are generally kept between two salt plates and measured since the plates are transparent to IR light. Salt plates can be made up ...
What region of the spectrum indicates what functional group is present?
Most of the bands that indicate what functional group is present are found in the region from 4000 cm -1 to 1300 cm -1. Their bands can be identified and used to determine the functional group of an unknown compound.
Why are near infrared spectroscopy bands weak?
Near InfraRed Spectroscopy: Absorption bands in the near infrared (NIR) region (750 - 2500 nm) are weak because they arise from vibrational overtones and combination bands. Combination bands occur when two molecular vibrations are excited simultaneously. The intensity of overtone bands reduces by one order of overtone for each successive overtone. When a molecule is excited from the ground vibrational state to a higher vibrational state and the vibrational quantum number v is greater than or equal to 2 then an overtone absorption results. The first overtone results from v = 0 to v = 2. The second overtone occurs when v =0 transitions to v = 3. Transitions arising from the near ir absorption are weak, hence they are referred to as forbidden transitions but these transitions are relevant when non-destructive measurements are required such as a solid sample. Near IR spectra though have low absorption they have a high signal to noise ratio owing to intense radiation sources and NIR is able to penetrate undiluted samples and use longer path lengths; it becomes very useful for rapid measurement of more representative samples.
Why is the far IR region important?
Far InfraRed Spectroscopy: The far IR region is particularly useful for inorganic studies due to stretching and bending vibrations of bonds between the metal atoms and ligands. The frequencies, which these vibrations are observed, are usually lower than 650 cm -1. Pure rotational absorption of gases is observed in the far IR region when there is a permanent dipole moment present. Examples include H 2 O, O 3, HCl.
What order do you rate energy levels?
The energy levels can be rated in the following order: electronic > vibrational > rotational. Each of these transitions differs by an order of magnitude. Rotational transitions occur at lower energies (longer wavelengths) and this energy is insufficient and cannot cause vibrational and electronic transitions but vibrational (near infra-red) and electronic transitions (ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum) require higher energies.
What is the second route of energy?
The first route occurs when absorption of radiation leads to a higher rotational energy level in a rotational transition. The second route is a vibrational transition which occurs on absorption of quantized energy. This leads to an increased vibrational energy level.
How many vibrations are possible in IR?
The absorption of IR radiation by a molecule can be likened to two atoms attached to each other by a massless spring. Considering simple diatomic molecules, only one vibration is possible. The Hook's law potential on the other hand is based on an ideal spring
How to identify a molecule?
A molecule can be identified by comparing its absorption peak to a data bank of spectra. IR spectroscopy is very useful in the identification and structure analysis of a variety of substances, including both organic and inorganic compounds.
How does radiation affect energy?
It’s important to state that the energy is quantized and absorption of radiation causes a molecule to move to a higher internal energy level. This is achieved by the alternating electric field of the radiation interacting with the molecule and causing a change in the movement of the molecule.
How does IR spectroscopy help us?
We can use infrared (IR) spectroscopy as a tool to help identify molecules and determine their molecular structure. But how do we understand the output? It just looks like a bunch of lines and curves. What do these lines have to do with alkenes, carboxylic acids, and other chemical groups? When we understand how to read an IR output, then we can identify patterns that can be helpful in identifying the structure.
Why does IR spectroscopy use different bonds?
IR spectroscopy utilizes the fact that different bonds absorb IR radiation at different rates to be able to measure that rate and determine what bonds are present. This isn't something that only happens in a laboratory; this also happens naturally in the world around us.
What is the broad curve of 3358/cm?
We see that there is a very broad curve at 3358/cm. This broad curve on the high end of the spectrum is very indicative of an alcohol. If this alcohol is part of another functional group (such as a carboxylic acid) then it will be a little lower on the spectrum and there would be other bands to identify what functional group it is from.
What are functional groups in IR?
The first thing we need to understand in reading the IR output is functional groups. Functional groups are specific molecular groups that are often found on molecules and can be easily identified. These include alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, phosphor groups, and halogens. Each functional group has a specific wavelength that is shown on the output.
What does it mean to enroll in a course?
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
What molecules absorb IR radiation?
These rays can then be absorbed by the bonds in particular molecules such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide.
How does IR work?
IR works by vibrating the molecules and then measuring how much they bend or stretch. The faster or more they bend and stretch, the higher and stronger a peak will be observed. So the output is the wavenumber on the x-axis and the transmittance % on the y-axis.

Table of Contents
What Is IR Spectroscopy?
- An IR spectrum is essentially a graph plotted with the infrared light absorbed on the Y-axis against. frequency or wavelength on the X-axis. An illustration highlighting the different regions that light can be classified into is given below. IR Spectroscopy detects frequencies of infrared light that are absorbed by a molecule. Molecules tend to absorb these specific frequencies of lig…
Samples in Infrared Spectroscopy
- The samples used in IR spectroscopy can be either in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state. 1. Solid samples can be prepared by crushing the sample with a mulling agent which has an oily texture. A thin layer of this mull can now be applied on a salt plate to be measured. 2. Liquid samples are generally kept between two salt plates and measured since the plates are transparent to IR light…
IR Spectroscopy Instrumentation
- The instrumentation of infrared spectroscopy is illustrated below. First, a beam of IR light from the source is split into two and passed through the reference and the sample respectively. Now, both of these beams are reflected to pass through a splitter and then through a detector. Finally, the required reading is printed out after the processor deciphers the data passed through the detect…