Basics of vibrational spectroscopy

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OH or NH function?

Peaks above 3100 cm-1 correspond to OH or NH stretching modes. They are large in the presence of hydrogen bonds:

νO-H = 3350 ± 50 cm-1
νN-H = 3320 – 3280 cm-1 (for an alkyl)
νN-H = 3400 cm-1 (for an aromatic)

To confirm the presence of a NH or OH function, their stretching mode must be correlated to bending vibrations.

pictogram information

O-H bending modes:


δO-H in plan ~ 1350 cm-1
δO-H out of plan ~ 650 cm-1 (small and thick)

N-H bending modes:


δN-H out of plan ~ 750 - 700 cm-1 (small, thick)
pictogram information
Besides deviations, the presence of an OH function can be confirmed by the expected vibrations of the adjacent functions, and the type of alcohol can also be identified.

C-O stretchings:


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