Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

High-Temperature and High-Pressure In situ Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Published on: October 9, 2020
High-resolution absorption cross sections of formaldehyde in the 30,285-32,890 cm(-1) (304-330 nm) spectral region
Cheryl Tatum Ernest1, Dieter Bauer, Anthony J Hynes
1Division of Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, United States.
Abstract:
Absolute room temperature (294 ± 2 K) absorption cross sections for the Ã(1)A(2)-X̃(1)A(1) electronic transition of formaldehyde have been measured over the spectral range 30,285-32,890 cm(-1) (304-330 nm) using ultraviolet (UV) laser absorption spectroscopy. Accurate high-resolution absorption cross sections are essential for atmospheric monitoring and understanding the photochemistry of this important atmospheric compound. Absorption cross sections were obtained at an instrumental resolution better than 0.09 cm(-1), which is slightly broader than the Doppler width of a rotational line of formaldehyde at 300 K (∼0.07 cm(-1)) and so we were able to resolve all but the most closely spaced lines. Comparisons with previous data as well as with computer simulations have been made. Pressure broadening was studied for the collision partners He, O(2), N(2), and H(2)O and the resulting broadening parameters have been measured and increase with the strength of intermolecular interaction between formaldehyde and the collision partner. The pressure broadening coefficient for H(2)O is an order of magnitude larger than the coefficients for O(2) and N(2) and will contribute significantly to spectral line broadening in the lower atmosphere. Spectral data are made available as Supporting Information.
Related Concept Videos
IR Frequency Region: Fingerprint Region
The...
IR and UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Aldehydes and Ketones
IR and UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Carboxylic Acids
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...
IR Spectrum Peak Broadening: Hydrogen Bonding
However, the extent of hydrogen bonding influences the observed stretching frequency and band broadening. Intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonding...
IR Frequency Region: X–H Stretching
Spectroscopy of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
In the...

