INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY EXERCISES

These exercises are designed to show you how infrared spectroscopy can be used to distinguish between different functional groups that may be present in a compound. For each exercise, example spectra are given. Each example is a compound that contains one of the functional groups discussed in the exercise. The compounds used as examples for that exercise are listed; your job is to figure out which spectrum corresponds to which compound. For each example, you can check the molecular formula, name, and structure to see if you got it right.

We are assuming that you have access to IR reference material such as that which is in your textbook, or handouts from class. In addition, each exercise has a link to the tables of IR data on the organic website.

For further torment, each exercise features an unknown that is a compound containing one of the functional groups discussed in the exercise. You are given the molecular formula, and asked to propose a structure that is consistent with the IR data. Please note that in most cases a number of consistent structures are possible; you only have to come up with one. The answers for the unknowns are not provided for you.

Basic Stuff:
Alkanes vs. Alkenes	Aromatics vs. Alkenes	Nitriles vs. Alkynes
Alcohols vs. Ethers	Aldehydes vs. Ketones	Ketones vs. Esters	Alcohols vs. Acids
Acids vs. Esters	Amines	Amines vs. Amides	Nitro Compounds
Finesse Stuff:
Conjugation	Substitued Alkenes	Substituted Aromatics

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