Infrared Spectroscopy
IR spectroscopy is good for one thing in organic chemistry - identifying functional groups! It works by passing infrared light through a solid or liquid sample. Different functional groups absorb different energies of the infrared light.
Example: IR Spectroscopy
Which molecule does the IR spectrum belong to?
- the peaks between 3100 and 3000 cm-1 are representative of sp2 C-H
- the structure on the left is the correct structure
Example: IR Spectroscopy
Which molecule does the IR spectrum belong to?
- there is a peak at 2250 cm-1 which is for the -CN group
- there is no peak at 1700 cm-1 (would be present if there was a C=O)
- the structure on the right is the correct structure