Spectrum 1: Methyl benzoate

Frequency Assignment
3065-3033 n(CH, sp2)
2999, 2952, 2905 n(CH, sp3)
1724 n(C=O, conj. ester)
1601, 1493 n(C=C, aromatic)
1452 d (CH3, bend)
1278, 1111 n(COC)
710 oop, mono-substituted

Spectrum 2: Eugenol

Frequency Assignment
3515, br n(OH, alcohol)
3077, 3044 n(CH, sp2)
2938, 2843 n(CH, sp3)
1638 n(C=C, alkene)
1613, 1514 n(C=C, aromatic)
1464, 1367 d (CH3, bend)
1268, 1234 n(C-O)

Spectrum 3: Lidocaine

Frequency Assignment
3248 n(NH, sec. amide)
~3010 n(CH, sp2)
2811-2970 n(CH, sp3)
1667 n(C=O,amide)
1593, 1505 n(C=C, aromatic)
1385 d (CH3, bend)
765 oop, 1,2,3-trisubstituted

Spectrum 4:Heptane

Frequency Assignment
2858-2960 n(CH, sp3)
1467, 1378 d (CH3, CH2, bend)
723 (CH2)4-rocking

Spectrum 5: 2,4-Di-tert.-butyl-6-hydroxymethylphenol

Frequency Assignment
3428, 3200, br. n(OH, diol)
2850-2967 n(CH, sp3)
1608, 1482 n(C=C, aromatic)
1450, 1362 d (CH3, CH2, bend)
1229, 1200 n(C-O)

Spectrum 6: 2-Cyclohexen-1-one

Frequency Assignment
3504 water (to be ignored)
3034 n(CH, sp2)
2829-2947 n(CH, sp3)
1685 n(C=O,conjugated)
1617 n(C=C, alkene)
1454, 1388 d (CH2, bend)
732 oop, cis-alkene

Spectrum 7: 2,4-Di-tert.-butyl-6-formylphenol

Frequency Assignment
3500-3300, br. n(OH, intramolecular)
3005, 3020 n(CH, sp2)
2870, 2953 n(CH, sp3)
2736, 2836 n(CHO, aldehyde)
1651 n(C=O,conjugated)
1466, 1364 d (CH3, bend)
1250, 1168 n(C-O)

Spectrum 8: 4-Methyl acetophenone

Frequency Assignment
3346 n(C=O,overtone)
3003, 3032 n(CH, sp2)
2870, 2923 n(CH, sp3)
1682 n (C=O)
1606 n(C=C, aromatic)
1429, 1358 n(CH, sp3)
815 oop, para-substitution

Spectrum 9: 4-Nitro phenylacetonitrile

Frequency Assignment
3050-3113 n(CH, sp2)
2853-2945 n(CH, sp3)
2249 n(C=N)
1600, 1500 n(C=C, aromatic)
1514, 1345 n(NO2)
832 oop, para-substitution

Spectrum 10: Styrene oxide (Epoxy benzene)

Frequency Assignment
3038 n(CH, sp2)
2912, 2989 n(CH, sp3)
1607, 1496 n(C=C, aromatic)
1453, 1389 d (CH2, bend)
985, 876 n(C-O)
759, 698 oop, mono-substitution


General comments:

1. The average grade for the assignment 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 seek some help.

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

3. The
n(OH) peaks for acids and alcohols look very different and can be easily identified by looking at them (see reader). However, in some cases intramolecular hydrogen bonding broadens and shifts (to lower wavenumbers) the peak of an alcohol.

4. Carbonyl peaks can be shifted to lower wavenumbers when the carbonyl function is conjugated to another
p-system e.g. double bond or aromatic ring.

5. Nitro groups show two intense peaks in the IR spectrum: one between 1300-1400 cm-1 for the symmetric stretching mode, the other one between 1500-1600 cm-1 for the asymmetric stretching mode.

6. The presence of two peaks in the carbonyl range (1630-1850 cm-1) indicates either the presence of an "anhydride type" of function or two different carbonyl functions.

7. Peaks due to amine, alkyne or alcohol functions are very different in appearance. Alkyne peaks (CH stretch) are very sharp and fairly intense due to an "isolated" motion. Amine peaks are usually a little broader and less intense. The presence of two peaks suggests a primary amine (NH2) while secondary amines show only one peak in this range. Alcohols (OH-stretch) usually show a rounded peak in this area.

8. A lot of noise of the left side of the spectrum usually indicates that the spectrum was acquired as a KBr pellet, often times indicating that the compound is a solid.