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FTIR PEAK INTERPRETATION

What absorbs at 1500 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?

A band near 1500 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 320,000+ reference spectra and knowledge graph.

Backed by 7 cited sources

Quick answer

A band near 1500 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
Amide 41 34 1.0
Aromatic ring 35 31 1.0
Acetate 25 23 1.0
Methacrylate 24 22 1.0
Carboxyl (COOH) 24 20 1.0
Alkyl C-H 21 19 1.0
Alkene (C=C) 20 19 1.0
Carbonyl (C=O) 15 13 1.0
N h 14 13 1.0
Ketone 14 12 1.0
Ester 14 12 1.0
C-O single bond 11 11 1.0
Ring structure 11 10 1.0
Hydroxyl (O-H) 11 9 1.0
Methoxy (OCH3) 10 10 1.0
C c single bond 8 8 1.0
N-O bond 8 7 1.0
Carbohydrate 8 5 1.0
Lignin 7 6 1.0
Water (H2O) 7 5 1.0
Carbonate 5 4 1.0
Secondary amine 4 4 1.0
Protein 2 2 1.0
Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) 2 2 1.0
Borate 2 2 1.0
Nucleic acid 1 1 1.0
Lipid 1 1 1.0
Amino acid 1 1 1.0
Metal oxygen 1 1 1.0
N n bond 1 1 1.0
C=n 1 1 1.0
Siloxane (Si-O-Si) 1 1 1.0
Silicate 1 1 1.0
Chlorine 1 1 1.0
Fatty acid 1 1 1.0
C n single bond 1 1 1.0
Hydrogen bond 1 1 1.0
Nitrogen heterocycle 1 1 1.0
Protein random coil 1 1 1.0
Thiocarbonyl 1 1 1.0
Ammonium 1 1 1.0
Silicon (Si) 1 1 1.0
Methyl 1 1 0.9
N eq o 1 1 0.7
Nitrate 1 1 0.6

Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single fixed 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 1500 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

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