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How would you identify various functional groups by IR spectroscopy provide supporting examples.

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Q.2. (b)How would you identify various functional groups by IR spectroscopy provide supporting examples.

Ans.2. (b)Identify various functional groups by IR spectroscopy:

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When identify various functional groups by IR spectroscopy analysing the spectrum of an unknown, concentrate your first efforts on determining the presence of (or absence) of a few major functional groups. The C = O, O – H, N – H, C – O, C = C, C= C, C=_N, and NO2 peaks are the most conspicuous and give immediate structural information if they are present. Do not try to make a detailed analysis of the C – H, absorption near 3000cm-1, almost all compounds have these absorptions. Do not worry about subtleties of the exact environment in which the functional group is found. Following is a major checklist of the important gross features.

1. Is a carbonyl group present? The C = O group gives rise to a strong absorption in the region 1820 – 1660 cm-1. The peak is often the strongest in the spectrum and of medium width. You can’t miss it.

2.  If C = O is present, check the following types
(If it is absent, go to step 3):

ACIDS

Is O – H also present?

Broad absorption near 3400-2400cm-1 (Usually overlaps C - H).

AMIDES

Is N – H also present?

Medium absorption near 3400cm-1, sometimes a double peak with equivalent halves.

ESTERS

Is C – O also present?

Strong-intensity absorption near 1300-1000cm-1.

ANHYDRIDES

Two C = O absorptions near 1810 and 1760cm-1.

ALDEHYDES

Is aldehyde C – H present?

Two weak absorption near 2850 and 2750cm-1on right side of the aliphatic C – H absorptions.

KETONES

The preceding five choices have been eliminated.

3. If C = O is absent:

ALCOHOLS,PHENOLS

Check for O – H.

Broad absorption near 3400-3300cm-1.

Confirm this by finding C – O near 1300-1000cm-1.

AMINES

Check for N – H.

Medium absorptions near 3400cm-1.

ETHERS

Check for C- O near 1300-1000cm-1(and absence of O – H near 3400cm-1).

4.    Double bonds and/or aromatic rings.
C = C is a weak absorption near 1650 cm.
Medium to strong absorption in the region 1600-1450cm-1, these often imply an aromatic ring.
Confirm  the double bond or aromatic ring by consulting the C – H region; aromatic and vinyl C – H occur to the left of 3000cm-1 (Aliphatic C – H occurs to the right ofthis value).

5.    Triple bonds.
C ≡ N is a medium, sharp absorption near 2250cm-1.
C ≡ C is a weak, sharp absorption near 2150cm-1.
Check also for acetylenic C – H near 3300-1.

6.    Nitro groups.
Two strong absorptions at 1600-1530cm-1,and 1390-1300cm-1

7.    Hydrocarbons.
None of the preceding is found.
Major absorptions are in C – H region near 3000cm-1.
Very simple spectrum, the only other absorption appears near 1460 and 1375 cm-1.

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