Mon, Feb 25, 2002

Answer Key for IR assignment Fall 2001

Spectrum 1: 1,6-Heptadiyne

Frequency Assignment
3299 v(CH, alkyne)
2850-2940 v(CH, alkane)
2118 v(CC, alkyne)
1454, 1434 CH2-bending

Spectrum 2: Benzonitrile

Frequency Assignment
3066 v(CH, aromatic)
2229 v(CN, triple bond)
1598, 1490, 1447 v(C=C, aromatic)
688, 738 d(C=C-H, oop-bending)


Spectrum 3: Acetophenone

Frequency Assignment
3085, 3065, 3005 v(CH, aromatic)
2923 v(CH, saturated)
1685 v(C=), ketone)
690, 750 d(C=C-H, oop-benbing


Spectrum 4: Diethyl phthalate

Frequency Assignment
3071 v(CH, aromatic)
2906-2983 v(CH, saturated)
1726 v(C=O, ester)
1226, 1124 v(C-O, ester)


Spectrum 5: Glycerol

Frequency Assignment
3351 (br) v(OH, alcohol)
2937 v(CH, saturated)
1650 (br) d(OH, alcohol)
1043 v(C-O, alcohol)

Remark: The spectrum has too many peaks for a simple molecule like methanol. It also can not be assigned to benzyl alcohol because it doesn't possess any v(CH, aromatic).


Spectrum 6: Propionitrile

Frequency Assignment
2882-2995 v(CH, saturated)
2247 v(CN, triple bond)
1462, 1431 d(CH2, bending)


Spectrum 7: Bromoform

Frequency Assignment
3028 v(CH, saturated)
1142 d(CH, bending)
654 v(C-Br)


Spectrum 8: 3-Chloro-2-methylpropene

Frequency Assignment
3085 v(CH, unsaturated)
2980 v(CH, saturated)
1655 v(C=C, alkene)
~760 v(C-Cl)


Spectrum 9: Benzyl alcohol


Frequency Assignment
3169 (br) v(OH, alcohol)
3032 v(CH, unsaturated)
2874 v(CH, saturated)
1602, 1496, 1454 v(C=C, aromatics)

Remark: The peak at 1700 cm-1 is too weak for a 'real' carbonyl peak. In addition, the v(OH) peak is too narrow for an carboxylic acid peak.


Spectrum 10: Di(n-butyl)amine

Frequency Assignment
3294 (w, br) v(NH)
2810-2959 v(CH, saturated)
1631 d(NH)
1463, 1376 d(CH2, CH3)


Spectrum 11: 2-Adamantanone (solid!)

Frequency Assignment
2916, 2854 v(CH, saturated)
1720 v(C=O, ketone)

Remark: The IR spectrum shows too many peaks for a simple compound like acetone (Z=3N-6!).


Spectrum 12: p-Nitrobenzylbromide (solid!)

Frequency Assignment
3038-3107 v(CH, unsaturated)
2861 v(CH, saturated)
1611 v(C=C, aromatic)
1540, 1346 v(NO2)


Spectrum 13: Octadecane (solid!)

Frequency Assignment
2854-2958 v(CH, saturated)
1467, 1378 d(CH2, CH3)
721 d((CH2)4)

Remark: The peak at 721cm-1 is too weak for a v(C-Cl). The compound is a hydrocarbon and has to have at least 17-18 carbon atoms to be a solid! Decane, pentane, etc are liquids at room temperature.


General comments:

1. The average grade for the assignemnt is 34 points (out of 40). If you scored significantly less than 30 points, I would advise you to see your TA or the instructor to get a better insight on IR spectroscopy.


2. One of the most common mistakes was not to analyze the v(C-H) region correctly to determine what type of compound (alkane, alkene, aromatic, or mixed) is present.


3. The v(OH) peaks for acids and alcohols look very different and can be easily identified by looking at them.