Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry

Instrumental Analysis, CHE 411L, H001

02/03/11

Caitlyne Shirley, Andrea McDonald

Abstract: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) is a technique used to determine

functional groups present within a molecule. Different functional groups have characteristic

wavenumbers at which they appear, but these wavenumbers can move depending on the

functional group’s interactions with other parts of the molecule. In this lab report, we took the

FTIR spectra of various molecules and determined their functional groups, as well as other

structural features of the molecules.

1
Equipment List:

FTIR spectrometer

Methanol

1,2-dichloroethane

benzoic acid

toluene

Butylmalonic acid

Isopentyl alcohol

Introduction and Theory:

Two of the general fields of the applications of IR spectroscopy are structure analysis and

qualitative analysis. In structure analysis, the structure of the molecule is to be elucidated by the

assignment of various peaks and bands to different functional groups of unknown molecules.

Every functional group has a characteristic wavenumber at which it appears, although this

wavenumber is subject to movement based upon its interactions with other structural and

electronic features of the molecule. In the fingerprint range (1500-650 cm-1), the spectra become

very complicated, and the interpretation of this range can therefore be unreliable. This range is

used to identify more characteristics of the complete molecule, more so than just the functional

groups. In qualitative analysis by IR, the presence of a compound in a mixture is determined in

an unknown sample. The vibrations determined by the IR arise from the fundamental vibrations

of the molecule. The fundamental vibrations are stretching or valency vibration (symmetrical or

unsymmetrical), bending or deformation vibrations, and vibrations involving a whole structure

group (wagging, rocking, twisting, and scissoring or bending). Because the sources and detector

2
have limited output in an IR spectrometer, Beer’s Law is difficult and inconsistent to apply to IR

spectra. In this experiment, we took the IR spectra of 1,2-dichloroethane, benzoic acid, benzoic

acid in a slurry with toluene, butylmalonic acid, and isopentyl alcohol. We then used these

spectra to determine different aspects of the molecules, as well as used databases of IR spectra to

match the spectra of benzoic acid, benzoic acid in toluene, and butylmalonic acid with the

spectra in the databases.

Experimental Procedure:

Samples of each of the molecules were made and their IR spectra was determined by first taking

a background, to zero out the machine, and then finding the spectra of each of the samples using

EZ-OMNIC software. A diamond laser was used to read the wavenumbers of the molecules.

For benzoic acid, benzoic acid in toluene, and butylmalonic acid, the databases were then

searched for matches of the spectra. They were then transported into Microsoft Paint in order to

import them into the lab report.

3
Results and Data:

IR spectra of 1,2-dichloroethane:

C-H stretch: 2950.55 cm-1

C-Cl stretch: 409.56 cm-1

4
IR spectra of benzoic acid in a slurry with toluene:

The top hit for the spectra of benzoic acid in a slurry with toluene is for 95% Citral from the

Nicolet Condensed Phase Academic Sampler library, which is the incorrect molecule.

5
IR spectra of top hits for benzoic acid after setting a standard peak:

The top hit for the standardized benzoic acid peak is for 99% benzoic acid from Aldrich
Condensed Phase Sample Library, which is the correct molecule.

6
IR spectra of top hits for benzoic acid before setting a standard peak:

The top hit for the unstandardized benzoic acid peak is for 90% p-toluic acid from Nicolet
Condensed Phase Academic Sampler, which is an incorrect molecule.

7
IR spectra of butylmalonic acid:

The top hit for butylmalonic acid is for 99% hexanoic acid from the Nicolet Condensed Phase
Academic Sample library, which is the incorrect molecule.

8
IR spectra of top hits for butylmalonic acid:

The top hit for the spectra of butylmalonic acid is for hexanoic acid, seen here in an overlay of
our spectra with the spectra in the library. The spectra are very close, although we know that
our molecule is not the same.

9
IR spectra of isopentyl alcohol:

O-H stretch: 3325.83 cm-1

CH3 stretch: 2953.87 cm-1

CH2 stretch: 2927.31 cm-1

CH stretch: 2667.53 cm-1

C-O stretch: 1054.24 cm-1

Calculations:

There were no calculations for this experiment.

10
Discussion and Conclusions:

In conclusion, this lab was valuable because we received practice using FTIR spectrometers. We

also were able to determine different functional groups depending upon at what wavenumber

they absorbed, as well as used libraries, which could be used to help determine if we have an

unknown molecule. However, we also learned that these libraries have many limitations. This

lab also demonstrated how solvent affects could change a spectrum because of the interactions

between the solute and the solvent molecules. If any error was introduced into this experiment, it

would probably be in poor sample preparation.

References:

Cook, Gary. FTIR laboratory handout.

Application of IR spectroscopy in qualitative analysis and structure elucidation: Evaluation of an

infrared spectrum, functional group analysis, and structural analysis. A Practical Guide

to Instrumental Analysis. Pgs. 74-80.

Infrared spectroscopy, Chapter 8. Pgs. 222-227.

11