Organic Analysis

Question 1

What is infrared spectroscopy?

Answer 1

• Organic molecules absorb infrared radiation
• Different bonds absorb IR at different frequencies/wavelengths
• Oxygen doen’s absorb IR because it isn’t greenhouse

Question 2

What is the fingerprint region?

Answer 2

This is the area that is below 1500 cm⁻¹. To identify a specific molecule you would look at this region to see if it exactly matches the database.

Question 3

What are the greenhouse gases?

Answer 3

• Carbon dioxide
• Water vapour
• Methane (best at absorbing IR)
• They can be made asymmetrical by bending and stretching covalent bonds

Question 4

In mass spectrometry which peak represents the RFM?

Answer 4

Last peak