What absorbs at 1059 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1059 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 1059 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 | 12 | 12 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 12 | 12 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Phosphate (PO4) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Nucleic acid | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Lipid | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Protein | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Siloxane (Si-O-Si) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Borate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N n bond | 1 | 0 | 1.0 |
Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single authoritative rule. Always confirm against your sample context.
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 1059 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
-
Acetate confidence 1.0
“The peak has shifted to 1059 This has been further validated by the calculated vibration 10 cm-1, frequency, where the C-O stretching for 2-HEC has been obtained at 1055 then slightly shifted cm-1 to 1050 for the complexes 2-HEC-NH 4NO 3.”
Solid polymer electrolyte production from 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose: Effect of NH4NO3 composition on its structural properties DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.02.033 -
C-O single bond confidence 1.0
“stretching at 1229 alkoxy stretching vibration at 1059 In the spectrum of nanocomposites”
Graphene oxide-TiO2 and reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 nanocomposites: Insight in charge-carrier lifetime measurements DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2016.11.008 -
Borate confidence 1.0
“4(cid:2) units, while the ric stretching vibration of BO cm(cid:2)1 represents the stretchband centered at 1059 groups.17-19 4(cid:2) The ing and bending vibrations of BO cm(cid:2)1 is ascribed to the B-O bond IR band at 1224 3(cid:2) units”
Lakshminarayana 等 - 2019 - Borotellurite Glasses for Gamma-Ray Shielding An DOI: 10.1007/s11664-018-6810-8 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“Cellulose 1105 Anti-symmetric in plane stretching 1059 C-O bond stretching β 897 C-O-C stretching Glycosidic linkage”
Micro-FTIR combined with curve fitting method to study cellulose crystallinity of developing cotton fibers DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-03094-6 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“This band and the cm-1) band of the C-O group in MCC (1059 were overlapped by a band corresponding to cm-1, the stretching vibrations of Si-O groups in halloysite 1037 which shifted to longer cm-1.”
Enhancing the Thermal Stability of Ionogels: Synthesis and Properties of Triple Ionic Liquid/Halloysite/MCC Ionogels DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206198 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“In the IR spectrum of adsorbed CPE, a band appeared at 1393 which 3 cm-1, is characteristic of C-H bending, and peaks at 1059 and 963 which correspond to C-O and P-O stretching, respectively, also appeared.”
Robust Magnetic -Fe2O3/Al–ZnO Adsorbent for Chlorpyriphos Removal in Water DOI: 10.3390/w14071160 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“C=O the main peaks are observed at 1646 and 1584 which corresponds to and NH of the core 2 cm-1 structure of chitosan, the peak at 1150 correlated to the stretching of the C-O-C and peaks at 1059 cm-1 C=O”
Noncovalent Sericin-Chitosan Scaffold: Physical Properties and Low Cytotoxicity Effect DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030775 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“2922 cm-1 (for C-H stretching) and 1059 cm-1 (for C-O stretching vibration) confirmed”
Das 等 - 2020 - Green Synthesis, Characterization and Application DOI: 10.3390/nano10081615
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