ATR FT-IR IMAGING OF ACETIC ACID

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the bond present in the Acetic acid. It is an
organic compound with the chemical formula CH3COOH. To determine the bond present
FT-IR or Fourier Transform InfraRed machine is used. This is a machine used mainly to
provide data about the nature of the bonds in a sample. The result has shown there are
absorption band in the region 3300-2500 cm-1 that reveals an C–H, O–H bonding and in the
region 1760-1690 cm-1 that shows a carbonyl stretch (C=O). The results gathered proves that
Acetic acid have these bonds present and justify the accurateness of FT-IR machine in
determining what bonds are present in a sample.

Keywords (maximum of five): FT-IR, Acetic acid, Absorption band, functional group
region, fingerprint region

Introduction

FT-IR or Fourier Transform InfraRed, is one of the most known method of Infrared

spectroscopy, which is an analytical apparatus that is used to tell what the present functional

group in a molecule is. More specifically, it provides data about the nature of the bonds in a

sample. What happens inside is that chemical bonds absorb electromagnetic fields and turns

it to vibrational and rotational kinetic energy forms. Different bonds absorb waves at a

different frequency and in this, the bond can be discerned from the absorbed radiation from

the apparatus. In infrared spectroscopy, light coming from the apparatus is sent to the sample

at frequencies and the region of frequency is between wave numbers of 4000 and 500 cm-1

The sample that has been used in this activity is acetic acid. It is an organic

compound with the chemical formula CH3COOH. It belongs to the group carboxylic acid

and it is one of the simplest of its group. It is a colorless liquid which is one of the main

component of vinegar. It has a distinctive sour taste and stinging smell. Acetic acid is an

important chemical reagent and it used widely in chemical industry, it is used in making of

cellulose acetate that is used to produce photographic film, and in household it used as a food

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additive which has a role to regulate the acid and as a condiment. But, acetic acid has an

immense range of uses that is beyond condiment, and it is produced in huge volume all over

the continent. Modern chemist has been working with this acid in many times for centuries.

This form of acid is severely corrosive and can be hazardous, so extra precaution is needed

when working with this molecule.

Infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is usually divided into two regions-

the functional group and the fingerprint region. The functional group region covers from

4000 cm-1 to 1450 cm-1 while the fingerprint region from 1450 cm-1 to 500 cm-1 and in this

activity, only the bond peaks at the functional group region will be interpreted.

The purpose of this activity is to determine the function group present in the sample

which is Acetic acid. It is mentioned that acetic acid is in carboxylic group and this activity

expectedly support that information. If it is not, factors will be discussed why the desired

function group is not met.

Materials and Methodology

List of Equipment/Reagent

• FT-IR 100

• Acetic acid

• Kim wipes

• Cotton balls

• Acetone

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 First thing to do in this activity is to clean the metal plate that will be used as the

container of the sample (see figure 1). Pour little amount of acetone in the cotton ball and rub

it on the metal plate. After, use Kim wipes to wipe out if there is a residue of cotton. Also,

clean with the same way the plunger. It should be done to avoid inaccurate result that may

came from the previous sample that has been test in the machine.

Figure 1. Cleaning of sample holder

Now, place the sample holder in the machine. Now into the computer, launch the

application “spectrum” and input the user name and password given to you by the instructor,

then select “Spectrum 100”. If you are not given instruction in this matter by the instructor,

ask for assistance. Now, click the “Background” button to amass back group information of

the sample holder and to check the background of the surrounding. The students are

reminded to wear proper attire because the machine is sensitive to other factors like the

atmosphere in the room. It may also cause inaccurate results, and that is also why limited

people are allowed inside the laboratory. Next, pour 2-3 drops of the sample that should

completely cover the exposed surface of the holder (see figure 2).

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 Figure 2. Placement of sample in the holder

Now, turn down the plunger until you hear two clicks from it (see figure 3). Now, press

“Apply” and then “Start” to collect the data.

Figure 3. Final position of the plunger after two clicks

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Results and Discussion

As mentioned, only the bond peaks belonged in the functional group region (4000 cm-1

to 1450 cm-1) will be interpreted, and the result gathered were as follow:

Figure 4. Result from G210

Figure 4 shows a broad absorption band in the region 3300-2500 cm-1 that reveal an

O–H and C–H bonding. (Based on table 1). Also, there is an immense peak of absorption

band in the region 1760-1690 cm-1 that shows a carbonyl stretch (C=O). Acetic acid

(CH3OOH) belongs to the carboxylic group and it is one of the simples in the group.

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Table 1. Important IR stretching Frequencies

And as a molecule that belongs to the carboxyl group, it has a carbon atom double

bonded to an oxygen and single bonded to a hydrogen and with a molecular structure (see

figure 5) that composes the bond mentioned, the data gathered quantify and proved that there

are C=O, C–H, O–H bond present in Acetic acid.

Figure 5. Molecular structure of acetic acid

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 To test the efficiency of the machine (FT-IR 100) and the results gathered by the

students, it is compared to two more trials done by groups in other section namely G220 and

G221. Also, it is compared to the data gathered by National Institute of Standards and

Technology which is a non-regulatory agency in the United States that is known for its

measurement standard laboratory. Their results are as followed:

Figure 6. Result from G220

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Figure 7. Result from G221

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 Figure 8. Result from NIST

Results from these three groups shows no difference in terms of absorption band

compared to the data gathered by the students in G210. This justify the accurateness of FT-IR

machine in determining the bond present in a compound. The C-O bond in this compound is

not mentioned in the data gathered and it is because C-O bond absorbed radiation in the

fingerprint region with wavenumber 1250-1050 cm-1.

Conclusion

The objective of this study is to determine the bond present in the given sample which

is Acetic acid. Based on the results gathered, there are absorption band in the region 3300-

2500 cm-1 that reveals an C–H, O–H bonding and in the region 1760-1690 cm-1 that shows a

carbonyl stretch (C=O). Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is composed of C–H, O–H, C=O and C-O

bonding but as mentioned the absorption band in functional group region is only the one

interpreted. C-O bonding based on table 1 is in the fingerprint region with a region of 1250-

1050 cm-1 and that is why is not included in this activity.

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 The results gathered proves that Acetic acid have these bonds present and justify the

accurateness of FT-IR machine in determining what bonds are present in a sample.

Recommendation

In terms of the result gathered, the detected bond present in acetic acid equals what

original bonds present in acetic acid. There are no flaws in the process conducted however

the student suggest that there should be unknown compounds to be determined to see first

hand the bond present in this compound.

References

FTIR Instructions. Retrieved from:

https://www.nanoscience.ucf.edu/include/files/instructions/instructions-ftir.pdf

METU Chemical Engineer Department. EXPERIMENT 2.3

FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY. Retrieved from:
http://users.metu.edu.tr/cates/files/manuals/FTIR_handout_2013_Fall.pdf

Federal register (2012). Acetic Acid Safety Data Sheet. Retrieved from:
http://www.labchem.com/tools/msds/msds/LC10100.pdf

IR SPECTRUM CHART.FG13 14 01T04.JPG. Retrieved from: http://www.proposalbidsheet.com/ir-

spectrum-chart/ir-spectrum-chart-fg13_14-01t04-jpg/

National Institute of Standards and Technology (2017). Acetic acid. Retrieved from:
http://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.cgi?ID=C64197&Type=IR-SPEC&Index=2#Top

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