Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is one of the most common spectroscopic techniques used by organic and inorganic chemists. Basically it is the absorption measurement of different IR frequencies by a sample positioned in the path of an IR beam. The main goal of IR spectroscopic analysis is to determine the chemical functional groups in the sample. Different functional groups absorb characteristic frequencies of IR radiation. Using various sampling accessories, IR spectrometers can accept a wide range of sample types such as gases, liquids, and solids. Thus, IR spectroscopy is an important and popular tool for structural elucidation and compound identification.
Applications
- Identification of compounds by matching spectrum of unknown compound with reference spectrum (fingerprinting),
- Identification of functional groups in unknown substances,
- Detection of molecular impurities or additives present in amounts of 1% and in some cases as low as 0.01%
