What absorbs at 1666 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1666 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 1666 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 | 19 | 18 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 16 | 15 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 11 | 10 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 11 | 10 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 11 | 10 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 10 | 9 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 10 | 9 | 1.0 |
| N h | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Protein beta turn | 2 | 2 | 0.9 |
| Amino acid | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N-O bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Protein beta sheet | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Protein alpha helix | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Lignin | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 1 | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| chitosan | 1666, 1650, 1655 | Amide, Methacrylate | 1 |
| PLGA | 1666, 3200, 1741 | Carbonyl (C=O), Methacrylate, Amide | 1 |
| LDPE | 1666, 1720, 1737 | Methacrylate, Carbonyl (C=O) | 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 1666 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
-
Carbonyl (C=O) confidence 1.0
“Reflectance FTIR spectra therefore allow for the to PBA shows a 2 shift to higher wavenumbers for cm-1, detection of glucose binding to a PBA-SAM on a gold the carbonyl stretching mode to 1666 whereas the N-H surface and for structural info”
Brewer 等 - 2004 - Infrared detection of a phenylboronic acid termina DOI: 10.1021/la035037m -
confidence 1.0
“cm-1 However, Figure 2(b) shows a peak at 3226 corresponding to N-H of polyaniline as well as 1666 cm-1 cm-1 and 1436 assigned as an aromatic chain for the double bond (C=C).”
Burhan 等 - 2020 - Preparation of Cyperus diffusus Vahl cellulose-pol DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/833/1/012063 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“conductive PPy-P(AN-co-VAc) composite films was reported The band observed at 1666 cm-1 has been assigned to C=O in our previous study [20].”
Cetiner 等 - 2011 - Characterization of Conductive Poly(Acrylonitrile- DOI: 10.1007/s12221-011-0151-z -
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“In cm(cid:1)1 correaddition to this, peaks at 1666 and 1595 (AC¼¼CA) Density sponding to aromatic stretching were also g/cc”
Blending of low-density polyethylene with vanillin for improved barrier and aroma-releasing properties in food packaging DOI: 10.1002/app.30221 -
Acetate 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 -
N h confidence 1.0
“Explicit assignment in text: 'peaks at 1723.23 and 1666.12 assigned to COO- and NH groups'”
Mahmud 等 - 2010 - Kinetic Analysis of Oleic Acid Esterification Usin DOI: 10.1021/ie900704n -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“Weak and medium cm-1 RIP bands at 1666 and 1658 in the parent coir is due to the presence of C=O linkage, which is cm-1 a characteristic group of lignin.”
Rout 等 - 2017 - A green approach to produce silver nano particles DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2017.03.004 -
Amide confidence 1.0
“The peak at 1666 cm(cid:1)1 CAO is from the amide stretch and the peak at cm(cid:1)1 (cid:6)(NOH) vibration.26 1543 is from the amide”
Poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(ethylenimine) blend matrix system for pH sensitive drug delivery DOI: 10.1002/app.22636
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