IR Spectrum Peak Broadening: Hydrogen Bonding
The vibrational frequency of a bond is directly proportional to its bond strength. As a result, stronger bonds vibrate at higher frequencies, while weaker bonds vibrate at lower frequencies. The stretching vibration of the strong O–H bond in alcohols and phenols (very dilute solution or gas phase) appears as a sharp peak at 3600–3650 cm−1.
However, the extent of hydrogen bonding influences the observed stretching frequency and band broadening. Intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonding...