Organic Analysis

What is infra-red spectroscopy

An analytical technique used to identify types of organic compounds, by detecting the presence of specific covalent bonds within a compound

How does infra-red spectroscopy work?

• Each type of bond vibrates at a specific frequency

• So each bond absorbs a specific frequency of infra-red radiation

• An infra-red spectrum displays the % transmittance against wave number (cm^-1)

• The position of each inverted peak tells us which bonds are present, therefore which functional groups are present in organic compounds

What is the fingerprint region?

• The region below 1500 cm^-1 is known as the fingerprint region

• Each compound has a uniques fingerprint region

• A computer can compare the fingerprint region to a database to identify the compound

Molecular ion peak

The line on the mass spectrum with the largest m/z ratio (gives the M_r of the compound)