Study Path Agent Study Path Agent
Generate Your Own
Interpreting IR Spectra (Infrared Spectroscopy)
86 topics across 7 chapters
Chapter 1
Foundations of IR spectroscopy
1
Molecular vibrations: stretching vs bending
1 subtopics
2
Drill: label stretching/bending modes for 10 functional groups
3
IR selection rules & intensity (dipole moment change)
1 subtopics
4
Exercise: predict which bonds give strong vs weak IR absorptions
5
Wavenumbers and units (cm⁻¹) + spectrum scales
1 subtopics
6
Quiz: convert between wavelength (µm) and wavenumber (cm⁻¹)
7
What shifts peaks (environment, conjugation, H-bonding)
2 subtopics
8
Mini-lab: compare O–H stretch in dilute vs concentrated samples
9
Problem set: rank expected ν(C=O) for 8 molecules
Chapter 2
IR instruments & sampling (FTIR/ATR)
10
FTIR instrument basics (interferometer, background, detectors)
1 subtopics
11
Checklist: run background + validate instrument performance
12
ATR-FTIR fundamentals & use (crystals, penetration depth)
2 subtopics
13
Procedure: collect ATR spectrum and interpret ATR-specific intensity differences
14
Troubleshooting: ATR poor contact, saturated peaks, crystal cleaning
15
Transmission/other sampling methods (KBr pellet, thin film, nujol, gas cell)
1 subtopics
16
Lab protocol: choose sampling method for solid/liquid/gas and justify
17
Sample prep & contamination control
1 subtopics
18
Contaminants worksheet: recognize water, CO₂, oils, solvents in spectra
19
Acquisition settings & QC (resolution, scans)
1 subtopics
20
QC drill: compare spectra at different resolutions/scans; pick best settings
21
Safety & good lab practice
1 subtopics
22
Safety checklist: powders, solvents, gas cells, waste
Chapter 3
Reading an IR spectrum (how to look)
23
Spectrum anatomy (%T vs absorbance; axes and baselines)
1 subtopics
24
Drill: read peak positions/intensities/widths on 5 spectra
25
Regions & heuristics (functional-group vs fingerprint; “anchor peaks”)
1 subtopics
26
Memorization set: 10 anchor wavenumbers you must know
27
Peak descriptors (position, intensity, width, shape)
1 subtopics
28
Exercise: match peak shapes to causes (H-bonding, mixtures, gases)
29
Preprocessing: baseline correction, smoothing, normalization
1 subtopics
30
Hands-on: baseline-correct + normalize a spectrum in software
31
Systematic peak assignment workflow (diagnostic bands → fingerprint)
1 subtopics
32
Worksheet: assign key peaks on an unknown using a step-by-step template
Chapter 4
Functional group identification (key bands)
33
O–H and N–H (alcohols, phenols, acids, amines, amides)
1 subtopics
34
Practice: distinguish alcohol vs carboxylic acid vs amine/amid (12 snippets)
35
C–H stretches (sp, sp², sp³; aldehyde doublet)
1 subtopics
36
Drill: classify C–H hybridization + spot aldehyde doublet (10 examples)
37
Carbonyls C=O: identify types and use companion peaks
3 subtopics
38
Cheat sheet: carbonyl frequency trends (conjugation, ring strain, EWG)
39
Practice: classify carbonyl type using C=O position + companion peaks
40
Create-your-own: one-page carbonyl decision tree
41
Triple bonds (C≡N, C≡C) and diagnostics
1 subtopics
42
Practice: nitrile vs alkyne vs none (10 spectra)
43
Fingerprint helpers: C–O, C–N, S=O, P=O patterns
1 subtopics
44
Exercise: identify ester vs ether vs sulfone vs phosphate using fingerprint peaks
45
Alkenes and aromatics (C=C, =C–H, ring modes, overtones)
1 subtopics
46
Drill: aromatic vs alkene vs none (12 spectra)
47
Halides & low-frequency region (C–Cl/C–Br; aromatic oop bends)
1 subtopics
48
Mini-problem set: assign halide bands + aromatic oop bends
Chapter 5
Advanced interpretation & common pitfalls
49
Hydrogen bonding, concentration effects, and broadening
1 subtopics
50
Question set: interpret H-bonding changes across 6 spectra
51
Conjugation/coupling artifacts (Fermi resonance, overtones)
1 subtopics
52
Exercise: spot Fermi resonance / overtone patterns in real spectra
53
Overlapping peaks, mixtures, and impurities
1 subtopics
54
Troubleshooting: explain “mystery peaks” from common impurities
55
ATR corrections, saturation, and atmospheric artifacts (H₂O/CO₂)
1 subtopics
56
Checklist: remove H₂O/CO₂ artifacts + avoid ATR saturation
57
Spectral libraries and match scores (verification)
1 subtopics
58
Task: identify an unknown via library search + manual peak check
Chapter 6
Workflow for unknowns + practice
59
5-step workflow to interpret an unknown IR spectrum
1 subtopics
60
Apply the 5-step workflow to 3 spectra and write your reasoning
61
Practice set: functional group ID (20 quick problems)
1 subtopics
62
Complete 20 “spot the functional group” problems and self-grade
63
Combine IR with NMR/MS/elemental analysis for structure elucidation
1 subtopics
64
Case study: solve 5 IR+¹H NMR+MS problems
65
Practice set: full structure elucidation (10 problems)
1 subtopics
66
Solve 10 full problems; write a peak-by-peak justification
67
Exam strategy & timed drills
1 subtopics
68
Timed drill: answer 30 common IR exam questions
Chapter 7
Communicating results & managing spectral data
69
Reporting IR data (peak lists, sample method, units)
1 subtopics
70
Write-up: produce a publishable peak table for 3 samples
71
Metadata & lab notebook practices (instrument settings, sample details)
1 subtopics
72
Metadata checklist: minimum fields to save with each spectrum
73
Making annotated figures (peak picking, labels, regions)
1 subtopics
74
Task: annotate a spectrum with 8 key assignments + legend
↗ Preprocessing: baseline correction, smoothing, normalization (see Chapter 3)
75
Data formats & reproducibility (SPC, CSV, JCAMP-DX; archiving)
1 subtopics
76
Convert spectra to an open format; verify round-trip integrity
77
Limits and responsible claims (what IR can/can’t prove)
1 subtopics
78
Critique: fix 5 flawed IR interpretations and rewrite conclusions

Want a personalized study path for any topic?

Generate Your Own Study Path