Functional groups infrared stretching frequencies

Table 12.4 Infrared Stretching Frequencies of Selected Functional Groups Bond Stretching Frequency (cm ) Intensity ...

One of the main routine uses of infrared spectroscopy is identification of specific functional groups present in an unknown molecule and, as a result, further characterization of the unknown. By far the most common example involves the carbonyl group. Location of a strong band in the infrared in the vicinity of 1730cm is almost certain proof that carbonyl functionality is present. This confidence is based on the fact that the characteristic frequency (the CO stretch in this case) is isolated, that is to say, it is sufficiently far removed from the other bands in the infrared spectrum to not be confused with them. It also assumes that carbonyl groups in different chemical environments will exhibit similar characteristic... 

It may seem there are too many numbers to memorize in infrared spectroscopy. Hundreds of characteristic absorptions for different kinds of compounds are listed in Appendix 2. Please glance at Appendix 2, and note that Appendix 2A is organized visually, while Appendix 2B is organized by functional groups. For everyday use, we can get by with only a few stretching frequencies, shown in Table 12-2. When using this table, remember... 

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