What absorbs at 2853 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 2853 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 2853 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkyl C-H | 63 | 59 | 1.0 |
| Lipid | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Protein | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| N h | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Fatty acid | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| graphene | 2853, 1720, 2097 | Methacrylate, Amide | 1 |
| iron oxide | 2853, 1130, 891 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate | 1 |
| asphalt | 2853, 1600, 1376 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate | 1 |
| iron oxide nanoparticles | 2853, 2972, 528 | Alkyl C-H, 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 2853 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
-
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“Peaks at 2923 and 2853 cm-1 were mainly associated with the hydrocarbon chains of the lipids or lignins [40].”
Comparative Analysis of the Phenolic Profile of Lycium barbarum L. Fruits from Different Regions in China DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185842 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“MBM3 Wavenumber, Group Assignment MBM MBM MBM Fishmeal w4 s4 3006 Stretching Unsaturated fatty acid w w w = C-H(cis) vw4 2952 -C-H (CH 3) Stretching (asym) SFA vw vw vw w vs4 2924 -C-H (CH 2) Stretching (asym) SFA vs vs vs vs 2853”
Gao 等 - 2017 - Technical note Characterization of lipid constitu DOI: 10.2527/jas2016.1332 -
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“The bands at M cm-1 cm-1 2853 are due to aromatic and aliphatic 2923 and C-H stretching which suggests”
Karpagavinayagam 和 Vedhi - 2019 - Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2018.11.043 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“3336 3335 3336 3334 - O H stretching 2853 2901 2896 2895 2898 Aliphatic saturated C H stretching vibration in cellulose and hemicellulose 2921, - - -”
Kasyapi 等 - 2013 - Bionanowhiskers from jute Preparation and charact DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.10.021 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“The cm-1 absorption peaks at 2853, 2956, and 3023 representing -CH -CH the and stretching vibration, and the absorption 2 cm-1 -CH peak at 1409 characterizing deformation vibration increased as the amount of VTES increased, which indicates”
Kim 和 Kang - 2012 - Fabrication of a Crack-Free Large Area Photonic Cr DOI: 10.1021/cg3005147 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“Stretching (asym) 2924a 3 2946-2881 -C-H (CH2) Stretching (asym) 2853a (CH2) Stretching (sym) 4 2881-2782 -C-H -C@O”
Rapid evaluation of oxidised fatty acid concentration in virgin olive oil using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and multiple linear regression DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.06.054 -
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“6(f)] reveals a new absorption the A-70 base asphalt, the absorption peaks at 2923 and cm(cid:3)1, S@O cm(cid:3)1 peakat 1030 whichis indicativeof the stretchingvibraCAH 2853 are attributed to the bond stretching vibration, ASH tion of benz”
Properties and modification mechanism of asphalt with graphene as modifier DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121919 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“C-H symmetric stretch in CH 2853 2”
Transitions in unmodified and modified bitumen using FTIR spectroscopy DOI: 10.1617/s11527-018-1308-7
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