What absorbs at 1726 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1726 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 1726 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) | 31 | 30 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 25 | 25 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 23 | 23 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 23 | 23 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 21 | 20 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 19 | 19 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 19 | 19 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 8 | 8 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Urethane | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Lignin | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 1 | 1 | 0.9 |
| Aromatic ring | 1 | 1 | 0.7 |
| Water (H2O) | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMMA | 1726, 1722, 1383 | Methacrylate, Acetate, Carbonyl (C=O) | 2 |
| CA | 1726, 1045, 1650 | Acetate, 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 1726 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
“The strong band in the spectrum (see Figure 3) of the pure PMMA sample can be attributed to the carbonyl (C=O) appearing at 1726 cm-1 in the spectrum (see Figure 3) of the pure PMMA sample can be attributed to”
Aziz 等 - 2017 - From Insulating PMMA Polymer to Conjugated Double DOI: 10.3390/polym9110626 -
confidence 1.0
“The width of the Gaussian functions is set to ν6 by Perrin al., that correspond to a band center at 1726 et √”
The Raman jet spectrum of trans-formic acid and its deuterated isotopologs: Combining theory and experiment to extend the vibrational database DOI: 10.1063/5.0039237 -
Ester confidence 1.0
“The peak cm-1 at 1726 is attributed to the ester carbonyl group (>C=O) stretching vibrations, which is found in agreement with the earlier reported results [2,30,34, 51,52, 63-64].”
Prasad 和 Lal - 2023 - Spectroscopic Investigations of Optical Bandgap an DOI: 10.33263/BRIAC132.187 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“ions that form complexation with the oxygen atom at this tra of The frequency, first evidence to prove the complexation was based on the disupon increase in [Amim] Cl content that effectively overcm-1 placement comes of C O characteristic p”
Plasticizing effect of 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride in cellulose acetate based polymer electrolytes DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.11.037 -
Carbonyl (C=O) confidence 1.0
“The band corresponding to the free carbonyl stretch at 1726cm-1 (Table 3) is resolved and in Fig.”
Selvasekarapandian 等 - 2006 - Laser Raman and FTIR studies on Li+ interaction in DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2006.02.026 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“From the FT-IR spectra, the formation of new peaks at 3707 (- cm-1 OH stretching) and 1726 (C=O stretching) indicates the successful transformation of the crystal violet.”
Trichoderma asperellum laccase mediated crystal violet degradation–Optimization of experimental conditions and characterization DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2016.11.044 -
Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0
“In the presence of conduction Abstract: of a-keto group of pyruvic acid) and can independently of saturated carboxylic acids (from C band electrons, O C1(cid:2)C2 the shift of this peak to 1726 accomplish such to C 5) in water by TiO photoc”
An Unexplored O2Involved Pathway for the Decarboxylation of Saturated Carboxylic Acids by TiO2 Photocatalysis: An Isotopic Probe Study DOI: 10.1002/chem.201001704 -
confidence 1.0
“The broad band peared at 1726 cm-1 correspond to N-H symmetry bending.”
Preparation of Anionic Surfactant-Based One-Dimensional Nanostructured Polyaniline Fibers for HydrogenStorage Applications DOI: 10.3390/polym15071658
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