What absorbs at 1717 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1717 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 1717 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 30 | 26 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 21 | 19 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 20 | 19 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 19 | 18 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 19 | 18 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 18 | 17 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 18 | 17 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 7 | 7 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 6 | 5 | 1.0 |
| N h | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Ring structure | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Imide | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Thiol | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Triglyceride | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Amine primary | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C=n | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Oxygen heterocycle | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Nucleic acid | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| polyurethane | 1717, 2270, 1700 | Methacrylate, Carbonyl (C=O), Amide | 1 |
| PVA | 1717, 1660, 2930 | Methacrylate, Carbonyl (C=O), Amide | 1 |
| graphene oxide | 1717, 1150, 3400 | Methacrylate, Carboxyl (COOH), Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 |
| polyvinyl alcohol | 1717, 1141, 1640 | Methacrylate, Amide, Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 |
| PLA | 1717, 1650, 1073 | Methacrylate, Carbonyl (C=O), Carboxyl (COOH) | 1 |
| PEG | 1717, 1650, 1342 | 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 1717 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
-
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“2 3360cm-1 2850-2940cm-1 werefixedwithKarnovskyfixation (O-H (C-H Attheend oftheculture,thecells stretching), stretching), 1717cm-1(ResidualacetateCH 3CO),and1450cm-1(C-Hbending) solution(2gparaformaldehyde,10mlof25%glutaraldehydesolution a”
Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels crosslinked by biodegradable polyurethane for tissue engineering of cartilage DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2010.02.017 -
Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Daud 等 - 2017 - Functionalizing Graphene Oxide with Alkylamine by DOI: 10.3390/nano7060135 -
Carbonyl (C=O) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Influence of high doses γ-irradiation on oxygen permeability of linear low-density polyethylene and cast polypropylene films DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2013.12.005 -
Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0
“the bands at 1567 and 1401 COOstretching vibrations, the asymmetric and symmetric CdO cm-1 respectively, and the 1717 band is due to the stretching vibration of a COOH group.”
Noguchi 和 Sugiura - 2001 - Flash-induced Fourier transform infrared detection DOI: 10.1021/bi0023807 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“J T J However, for the sample the locaS(CH 3) symand 1822 and samples are assigned to the r m(CACH 3) stretching, respection of these bands shifted to 1717, 1745, 1782, and metric rocking and cm(cid:1)1,”
Characterization of poly(lactic acid) multifilament yarns. I. The structure and thermal behavior DOI: 10.1002/app.32046 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“The absorption band at 1717 is corresponded to C=O stretching of COOH, while the cm-1 1011cm-1 and are associated with O-H bending and C-O stretching, respectively.”
Zulikifli 等 - 2017 - Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles on Multi-walled Ca DOI: 10.1063/1.4999889 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“a band at 1717 due to C=O stretching vibration (amide I), and a band at”
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 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“Firstly, the distinctive AG blend features a band around 3500 which is cm-1 peak of the carbonyl group at ~ 1717 attributed to O-H stretching vibration from the hydroxyl decreases in”
Evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol–borax/agarose (PVA–B/AG) blend hydrogels for removal of deteriorated consolidants from ancient Egyptian wall paintings DOI: 10.1186/s40494-019-0264-z
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