What absorbs at 1042 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1042 cm⁻¹ can point to several functional groups. Below are the most likely assignments, ranked by how much published evidence supports each — every one traceable to literature (DOI) and cross-validated against our 130,000+ reference spectra and knowledge graph.
Backed by 8 cited sources
Quick answer
A band near 1042 cm⁻¹ is usually interpreted by checking which functional groups repeatedly co-occur there in the literature, then confirming at least one or two additional peaks in the same sample. This page ranks those assignments by accumulated evidence rather than by a single fixed textbook rule.
Possible functional-group assignments
| Functional group | Supporting facts | Cited sources | Top confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-O single bond | 10 | 8 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 9 | 7 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 9 | 7 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 9 | 7 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Siloxane (Si-O-Si) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| S eq o | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Nitrogen heterocycle | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicate | 1 | 1 | 0.8 |
Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single fixed rule. Always confirm against your sample context.
Possible materials
| Material | Supporting peaks | Overlapping groups | Cited sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| polypyrrole | 1042, 1700, 400 | Methacrylate, Acetate | 1 |
| montmorillonite | 1042, 1637, 523 | Methacrylate, Acetate | 1 |
| CMC | 1042, 1423, 1196 | C-O single bond | 1 |
| geopolymer | 1042, 1453, 1000 | C-O single bond | 1 |
| Pt | 1042, 1230, 1323 | Acetate, Methoxy (OCH3), Methacrylate | 1 |
Materials are shown only when the same literature pool supports this band and at least one additional characteristic peak.
Spectrum logic
This band becomes meaningful only when read with its neighboring peaks. In practice, analysts first look at the assignments above, then check whether the same sample also shows other peaks expected for the same structural motif. A lone band near 1042 cm⁻¹ is usually not enough for material identification by itself.
Real-world usage
This type of query is common in polymer identification, unknown plastic screening, QC troubleshooting, recycled-material verification, and literature-backed peak assignment review.
Common mistakes
- Treating one isolated band as proof of a material without checking at least one or two supporting peaks.
- Ignoring overlap: multiple functional groups can contribute near the same wavenumber.
- Skipping validation when additives, blends, oxidation, or contamination may distort the spectrum.
Verification advice
When ambiguity remains, validate the hypothesis with DSC, GC-MS, or TGA, especially for blends, degraded samples, and filled polymers.
Literature behind these assignments
-
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“The peak at 1538 cm-1 pyrrole ring, and the peak at 1042 denotes the C-H stretching vibration in the pyrrole ring.”
Munot 等 - 2019 - Electrochemical Investigations on Semi-conducting DOI: 10.4152/pea.201901043 -
Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0
“dimethylamine (1.75%), 1-nonadecene (4.31%), amines can be found at 1248.82 The diphenylamine (2.93%), 1-hexadecane (4.05%), carboxylic acids, alcohols, esters, and ethers have cm-1 dodecanal (4.10%), 1-hexadecene (5.45%), 6,10C-O stretch a”
Raubbin 等 - 2020 - HPLC, FTIR AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF ETHYL ACETATE EXT DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.11(8).3953-59 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“SRS , CO ads, CO 2, and Although the CO ab2O.20 2 change of the methanol hydroxyl proton with D The bands at sorbance emerges above the background with increasing potential cm21 cm21 2978-2928 and 2871-2820 are due to the methanol ~i.e., in”
Sanicharane 等 - 2002 - In situ 50 degrees C FTIR spectroscopy of Pt and P DOI: 10.1149/1.1464883 -
S eq o confidence 1.0
“The main characteristic band of SSS at 1042 and 988 cm-1 cm-1(-C (-SO 3Na group), 1187 and 1141 (S=O stretch) and 1651, 1530 & 1400 ar-C bonds) are ar also shown.”
REMOVAL OF METAL IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE/SODIUM STYRENE SULFONATE GELS PREPARED BY RADIATION GRAFTING DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.09.049 -
Silicon (Si) confidence 1.0
“cm-1 for the broad band at 1640 The band with maximum at 1042 is due to in-plane cm-1 Si-O-Si stretches and the shoulder around 1110 originates from perpendicular Si-O”
Rehydration Driven Na-Activation of Bentonite—Evolution of the Clay Structure and Composition DOI: 10.3390/ma14247622 -
Carbohydrate confidence 1.0
“Assigned to polysaccharides present in gluten.”
Dirin 等 - 2022 - Zein Protein Obtained from Maize as a Novel Biodeg DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1744529/v1 -
confidence 1.0
“the strong and broad hump band of Si-O stretching vibration cm-1 cm-1 at 1042 in the case of MK was shifted to a lower frequency at 984 in the FTIR”
Blending Plastics Waste with Highly Available Jordanian Kaolin for Preparation of Alkali-Activated Mortars DOI: 10.3390/su142315742 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“1042 (C-O vibration), 778, 661, and 513 (C-Cl starching) cm-1.”
Nematocidal and Bactericidal Activities of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Ficus sycomorus Leaf Extract DOI: 10.3390/life13051083
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