Across the Spectrum: Infrared Spectral Interpretation

An overview of how to determine unknown molecular structures from infrared spectra. We’ll begin with how molecules absorb infrared radiation; and what peak positions, heights, and widths mean. Next, a systematic, 10-step strategy to successfully interpret spectra is presented.

The bulk of the course is a discussion of important infrared bands of a number of economically important molecules including alkanes, aromatics, alcohols, esters, and amines. Special discussions of polymers and inorganics are included.

The course concludes with a practical discussion of how library searching and spectral subtraction make interpreting spectra faster and easier. Interpretation workshops, where attendees interpret unknown spectra with the help of the instructor, are held throughout the course.

• 4 ways to make interpreting mixture spectra easier
• Discover the right way to perform identities and spectral comparisons
• Emphasis is on industrially and economically important molecules
• Understand All the Features in a Spectrum
• Cyclic Alkanes, Highly Substituted Benzene Rings
• Heterocyclic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Sugars and Carbohydrates
• Unusual Carbonyl Compounds including Polyurethanes and Carbonates
• Organic Sulfur, Silicon, Halogen compounds
• Interpretation Aids: Spectral Subtraction and Library Searching

Anyone who needs to identify molecular structures in samples.