What absorbs at 1046 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1046 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 1046 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 | 13 | 13 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 12 | 12 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 11 | 11 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 11 | 11 | 1.0 |
| Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 4 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Siloxane (Si-O-Si) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| N h | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Phosphate (PO4) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Metal oxygen | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Metal hydroxyl | 1 | 1 | 0.9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZnO | 1046, 1400, 3430 | Acetate, Methacrylate, C-O single bond | 1 |
| SiO2 | 1046, 1739, 699 | Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 |
| ZnO nanoparticles | 1046, 1219, 1726 | Methacrylate, Acetate, C-O single bond | 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 1046 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
-
Siloxane (Si-O-Si) confidence 1.0
“The strong absorption peak observed at 1046 was attributed to the asymmetric stretching of the siloxane group (Si-O-Si), respectively) (Figure 1b).”
Nanocellulose-silica polyethersulfone hybrid composite stabilized lipase for esterification DOI: 10.1063/1.5125521 -
confidence 1.0
“cm-1, cm-1 cm-1 Figure 2a (iii) silica, and exhibit bands at 461.231 787.381 and 1045.99 Figure 2 (a) (iii) silica, and exhibit bands at 461.231 cm-1, 787.381 cm-1 and 1045.99 cm-1 Si∼O∼Si Si∼O∼Si”
Green Synthesis of Crystalline Silica from Sugarcane Bagasse Ash: Physico-Chemical Properties DOI: 10.3390/nano12132184 -
Carbonate confidence 1.0
“cm-1 cm-1 The peak around 1046 266 is assigned to the free carbonate anion, 1059 as carbonate bonded cm-1 D 267 to interlayer water molecules and 1090 as carbonate chemically bonded to LDH hydroxyl”
Dependence of bonding interactions in Layered Double Hydroxides on metal cation chemistry DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2016.06.045 -
confidence 1.0
“terval temperature 25-350°C, respectively and complex, the asymmetric and symmetric S(=O) 2 B - a -alumina-RR 120 dye composite and cm-1 stretches at 1324 and 1206 respectively, the b - alumina-RB 15 dye composite obtained by cm-1, and the”
Tabak - 2009 - Structural analysis of reactive dye species retain DOI: 10.1007/s10973-007-8914-x -
Carbonate confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Morphological, structural and antibacterial behavior of eco-friendly of ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite synthesized via Hibiscus rosa-sinensis extract DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.09.048 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“and 1046) In contrast, the stretching vibrations of (C-H) bonds related to the methoxy groups from the silanes disappeared, proving that the methoxy groups were completely hydrolyzed during W preparation.”
Enhanced Coating Protection of C-Steel Using Polystyrene Clay Nanocomposite Impregnated with Inhibitors DOI: 10.3390/polym15020372 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“cm1 cm1 cmprincipal bands at 3561, 3496 (stretching of O-H bonds), 1724 (stretching of C = O), 1344 1 cm1 cm1 (bending of C-H bonds), 1282, 1269, 1251 (stretching of C-O bonds), and 1046 (stretching of”
Ali 等 - 2023 - Nitazoxanide and azithromycin for the early treatm DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1745239/v1 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“amounts of natural waxes, also exhibits the strong and wide bands associated with the OH stretching vibrations at 3296 and 3233 cm-1 and the band due to the C-O stretching at 1046 cm-1 belonging to glyceryl stearate.”
Characterization of Waxes in the Roman Wall Paintings of the Herculaneum Site (Italy) DOI: 10.3390/app122111264
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