What absorbs at 1437 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1437 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 1437 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkyl C-H | 10 | 10 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| N h | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Borate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Protein random coil | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Protein beta sheet | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Nitrogen heterocycle | 1 | 0 | 1.0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVA | 1437, 1660, 2930 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate, C-O single bond | 1 |
| iron oxide nanoparticles | 1437, 2972, 528 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate, Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 |
| PEG | 1437, 1650, 1342 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate, 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 1437 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
“Whereas the intensities of> the calculated content of chemical groups of coals before and after cm-1, cm-1 eCH CeOeC CH peak at 1437 peak at 1373 and peak at CeH CeC”
Effect of oxidation processing on the surface properties and floatability of Meizhiyou long-flame coal DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.08.053 -
confidence 1.0
“A band at 1437 was observed which was assigned report the effective synthesis of bio-stable Fe 2O NPs which were 3”
Khan 等 - 2022 - Biosynthesis and characterization of iron oxide na DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1001499 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“4 (a)] showed features spectrum band at 2946.67 1 cm-1 (stretching vibration of C-H from alkyl group), 1142.72 ( C-O stretching vibration, 1436.69 cm-1 cm-1 cm-1 (-CH 2stretching), 855.72 (C-C stretching) and the absorption band at 3631.72”
Sprayed in-situ synthesis of Polyvinyl alcohol/Chitosan loaded Silver nanocomposite hydrogel for improved antibacterial effects DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.186 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“The absorption band near 878 cm-1 is caused cm-1 at 1437 is assigned to the symmetric stretching of C-O bonds [31], suggesting that by the bending vibration of CO32- [29,30] and the absorption band at 1437 cm-1 is assigned cm-1 cm-1”
Preparation and Characterization of Low-Carbon Cementitious Materials Based on Soda-Residue-Activated Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag: A Case Study on Cemented Paste Backfills DOI: 10.3390/met -
Carbonyl (C=O) confidence 1.0
“Biodiesel concentration (%v/v) biodiesel is shifted versus the carbonyl band from the cm-1 1437 oil.”
Reyman 等 - 2014 - A new FTIR method to monitor transesterification i DOI: 10.1007/s10311-013-0440-4 -
Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0
“Bands at ∼1437cm -1, ∼1384cm -1, and 858cm are attributed to the symmetric stretching vibration for carboxylate ions and Acknowledgments -1 nitrate.”
Abdullah 等 - 2013 - Role of CA-EDTA on the Synthesizing Process of Cer DOI: 10.1155/2013/908340 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“a band at cm-1 number of allophanate groups increases with respect to the 1437 due to CH scissoring vibration, other band at 2 cm-1 C-C urethane bonds.”
Effect of PEG grafting density on surface properties of polyurethane substrata and the viability of osteoblast and fibroblast cells DOI: 10.1007/s10856-022-06668-1 -
Amide confidence 1.0
“cm(cid:2)1, corresponding to the random coil conformation, 1400 (cm-1) Frequency cm(cid:2)1, II0 band at 1437 correto the deuterated actin amide b-sheet sponding to or extended structure, and to the deuter0.16 C cm(cid:2)1 I0 band at 1595 f”
Induced Secondary Structure and Polymorphism in an Intrinsically Disordered Structural Linker of the CNS: Solid-State NMR and FTIR Spectroscopy of Myelin Basic Protein Bound to Actin DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2008.10.003
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