An Atlas of Air Absorptions from 4000 cm(-1) to 250 cm(-1)

When infrared (IR) radiation passes through a molecule, the bonds stretch or bend by absorbing the radiation. This absorption creates the molecule's absorption spectrum, which is the plot of its percentage transmittance versus wavenumber.
Transmittance is defined as the ratio of the radiant power passing through a sample to that from the radiation's source. Multiplying the transmittance by 100 gives the percent transmittance (%T), which varies between 100% (no absorption) and 0% (complete...

In IR spectroscopy, signals produced by the X−H bonds (such as C−H, O−H, or N−H) can be observed in the frequency range of  2700–4000 cm–1. The C−H stretching vibration forms sharp bands in the region 2850–3000 cm–1. The presence of the O−H stretching vibration leads to the forming of an absorption band in the frequency range 3650–3200 cm−1. At the same time, N−H stretching can be confirmed by absorption bands in the 3500–3100 cm−1 range. Even though both O−H and N−H bonds vibrate at a similar...

IR spectra are divided into two main regions: the diagnostic region and the fingerprint region. The diagnostic region of the spectrum lies above 1500 cm−1. The absorptions resulting from single-bond vibrations of the N–H, C–H, and O–H stretch at higher wavenumbers and appear on the left side of the spectrum. The stretching absorptions of the C≡C and C≡N occur between 2100–2300 cm−1. In contrast, those arising from stretching absorptions of the C=O, C=N, and C=C occur between 1600–1850 cm−1.
The...

In IR spectroscopy of carboxylic acids, the C=O bond shows a characteristic band between 1710 and 1760 cm⁻¹, and the O–H bond exhibits a broad band between 2500 and 3300 cm⁻¹.
However, the stretching absorptions for the C=O bond vary depending on the structure of carboxylic acids. The C=O bond of the free carboxylic acids shows a higher stretching frequency, 1760 cm−1, while H-bonded carboxylic acids (dimers) exhibit stretching absorptions at a lower frequency, 1710 cm−1. The C=O bond of the...

Infrared spectroscopy is primarily used to determine the types of bonds and functional groups. In carboxylic acid derivatives, a typical carbonyl bond absorption is observed around 1650–1850 cm−1. For esters, the absorption is recorded at around 1740 cm−1, while acid halides show the absorption at about 1800 cm−1. Another acid derivative, the acid anhydrides, exhibit two carbonyl absorption around 1760 cm−1 and 1820 cm−1, arising from the symmetrical and unsymmetrical carbonyl vibration.
In the...

Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique used to study the composition of materials. It is widely employed in chemistry, materials science, forensic science, and other fields where sample characterization is required. ATR has several advantages over traditional transmission IR spectroscopy, including the requirement of little to no sample preparation and the ability to analyze a wide range of samples.
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...