What absorbs at 1790 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 1790 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 1790 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) | 6 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Ring structure | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| C=n | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Fatty acid | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Imide | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| polyurethane | 1790, 2270, 1700 | Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 |
| MWCNTs | 1790, 3396, 1735 | Carboxyl (COOH) | 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 1790 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
-
Carboxyl (COOH) confidence 1.0
“The high-frequency cm-1 1721cm-1 cm-1 shoulder to the main C=O peaks, 1731 in 1 and in 2, at ~1790 cm-1 (1) and at ~1784 (2), also detectable in Nujol, is probably due to a ''free" cm-1 cm-1 carboxylic group whereas the weaker peaks, at 165”
2,2′,2″-Thiotris(acetic acid) betaine, S(CH2COOH)2(CH2COO), and 2,2′,2″-selenotris(acetic acid) betaine, Se(CH2COOH)2(CH2COO) DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2016.12.067 -
Fatty acid confidence 1.0
“(Sadeghi-Jorabchi, Wilson, 191 Belton, Edwards-Webb, & Coxon, 1991) mentioned, the decrease in the ratios of 192 cm-1 cm-1 Raman band at approximately 1700~1601 to the band at 1790~1713 or to the 193 cm-1 band at 1543~1382 indicated an incr”
Gao 等 - 2021 - Complementarity of FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128754 -
Fatty acid confidence 1.0
“Gloor were (i) the ratio between the fatty acid absorption and the ester In this work we aim to investigate the use of infrared spectroscopy absorption, (ii) the height of the total combined fatty acid and ester 1790cm-1, differences techni”
Interpersonal differences in the friction response of skin relate to FTIR measures for skin lipids and hydration DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.110883 -
Ring structure confidence 1.0
“These PU spectra cm-1 revealed the disappearance of the cyclic carbonate signal of absence of the peak at 1790 revealed the complete transcm-1”
Biodegradable isocyanate-free polyurethane films via a noncatalytic route: facile modified polycaprolactone triol and biobased diamine as precursors DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05710g -
Imide confidence 1.0
“Polymers 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 14 The remarkable signatures around 1790 cm-1 and 1769 cm-1 denote the asymmetrical and symmetrical stretching frequencies of imide carbonyl groups, respectively.”
Synthesis and In Vitro Antimicrobial Evaluation of Photoactive Multi—Block Chalcone Conjugate Phthalimide and 1,8-Naphthalimide Novolacs DOI: 10.3390/polym13111859 -
C c single bond confidence 1.0
“These results are an indication that the nanotubes exist as at 1790 The stretching of the C-C bond from the phenyl”
Preparation and characterization of polycarbonate/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.8.203 -
C=n confidence 1.0
“The band between 1790 and 1590 is characteristic for stretching vibration C=N bond constituting the oxazoline ring.”
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerized 2-Ethyl-2-oxazoline Based Thin Films for Biomedical Purposes DOI: 10.3390/polym12112679 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“3430 (N-H stretching), 1790 (C=O stretching), same or similar type of linear polymers the [η] value is cm-1 cm-1 1631 (N-H bending and C-N stretching) and 910 proportional to the molecular mass.”
Mighani 和 Kia - 2015 - Synthesis and characterization of new soluble poly DOI: 10.1590/0104-1428.1912
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