IR Spectroscopy for Unknown Compound ID

Infrared spectroscopy helps identify an unknown compound by showing which functional groups are present. It uses infrared (IR) light, so it is also called vibrational spectroscopy. The spectrum gives a pattern that can be compared with known group signals to narrow down the compound's identity.

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Infrared, or IR, spectroscopy is a technique used to characterize covalent bonds.

Molecules with certain types of covalent bonds can absorb IR radiation, causing the bonds to vibrate. An IR spectrophotometer can measure which frequencies are absorbed. This is generally represented with a spectrum of percent IR radiation transmitted through...