What absorbs at 1438 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1438 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 1438 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 | 9 | 9 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amino acid | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Sulfate (SO4) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Lewis acid site | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMMA | 1438, 1722, 1383 | Methacrylate, Acetate, Alkyl C-H | 2 |
| chitosan | 1438, 1650, 1655 | Alkyl C-H, Acetate, Methacrylate | 1 |
| SiO2 | 1438, 1739, 699 | Alkyl C-H, Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 |
| glycerol | 1438, 1585, 1630 | Methacrylate, Acetate, Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| PVC | 1438, 834, 1195 | Alkyl C-H, 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 1438 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 absorption peak at 1438 is from symmetric bending deformation C-H of 45 46 -COOCH group while the C-H stretching absorption peaks of -CH and CH appear at 2895 and 2966”
Ataei 等 - 2020 - Electrosprayed PMMA microcapsules containing green DOI: 10.1088/1361-665X/ab9754 -
Alkene (C=C) confidence 1.0
“In addition, the bands at 3007 based cm(cid:0) cm(cid:0) Calibration (C-- 1 1 (=C-H asymmetric stretching), 1654 C stretching) 1438 cm(cid:0) (C-- 1 =C-H H scissoring deformation), 1258 (cis deformation), and”
Comparison and chemical structure-related basis of species discrimination of animal fats by Raman spectroscopy using near-infrared and visible excitation lasers DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110105 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“The peak at around 1438 is assigned to a symmetric vibration of the C-O bond, which means that tartaric acid reacts with cm-1 PbTiO during the preparation process.”
Hemeda 等 - 2021 - Synthesis of nanometer-sized PbZrxTi1-xO3 for gamm DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2020.109688 -
Amide confidence 1.0
“The main peaks cm-1 cm-1 for chitosan can be assigned as follows: 3439 (N-H and O-H stretching vibration), 2925 cm-1 cm-1 (CH symmetric stretch), 1666 (C=O stretching vibration), 1438 (C-N stretching vibration), 3”
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Cross-Linked Chitosan-Glutaraldehyde DOI: 10.3390/md11051534 -
confidence 1.0
“The characteristic cm-1 to reported single fcc Pt phase [38, 41], while peaks at peaks at 1438, 1118 and 613 can be assigned to in43.7o, 50.7o 74.5o and correspond to reported single fcc Cu plane OH bending of carboxylic acids, C-O stretch”
Green synthesis of bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures for catalytic oxidative desulfurization of model oil DOI: 10.1007/s40097-017-0223-8 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“3SO system at 847, 988, 1256, PMMA in PVC-PMMA-LiCF band due to C O is shifted to These shifts are 3 1438cm-1 are shifted to 777, 973, 1286, 1393 and 1387 and Li+ ion and the expected to be due to interaction between 1484cm-1, respectively.”
Ramesh 等 - 2007 - FTIR studies of PVCPMMA blend based polymer elect DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2006.06.012 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“cm-1, Other features of the fraction are the absorption bands at 1438 and 1444 which are related to the first overtone of the -OH stretch of H 2O.”
Synergistic Effects of n-Hexane Fraction of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Bark Extract and Selected Antibiotics on Bacterial Isolates DOI: 10.3390/su9020228 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“• COO- • The COOstretch, C-H rock, and C-O-C stretch in the unplasticized sample (SC0) may The stretch, C-H rock, and C-O-C stretch in the unplasticized sample (SC0) may cm-1, cm-1, cm-1, be found around 1665 cm-1, 1438 cm-1, and 1014 cm-1,”
Adam 等 - 2023 - Insight into the Effect of Glycerol on Dielectric DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083461
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