What absorbs at 2878 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 2878 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 2878 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 | 16 | 14 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N n bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Chitosan | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEG | 2878, 1650, 1342 | Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| Fe3O4 | 2878, 2358, 1673 | Alkyl C-H | 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 2878 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
“2970 are assigned as P, Q, R branches of symmetric C-H stretching The peak 4 5 cm-1 at 2878, 2868 and 2854 are assigned to P, Q, R branches of the first overtone of CH 3 6 7”
Blue-Shifted Hydrogen Bonding in the Gas Phase CH/D3CN●●●HCCl3 Complexes DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.8b12200 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“In general, chitosan powder show characteristic peaks at 3425.58 cm-1 cm-1 cm-1 (-OH and -NH stretching), 2877.79 (-CH stretching), 1651.07 (amide I/C=O stretching), 2 cm-1 cm-1 cm-1 1597.06 (amide II/-NH bending), 1072.42 (C-O-C stretching”
Cahyono 等 - 2018 - Characteristics of eugenol loaded chitosan-tripoly DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/349/1/012010 -
Chitosan confidence 1.0
“The band at cm(cid:1)1 gelthestraincurvedisplaysajumpofthestrainvalueinresponse of chitosan corresponding to the C-H vibration, is 2878 OF cm(cid:1)1”
Chakraborty 等 - 2012 - Improved mechanical and photophysical properties o DOI: 10.1039/c2jm33995a -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“For the pure PEG sample spectrum, the cm-1 2878 peak is due to aliphatic C-H stretching vibrations in the PEG chain.”
Formulation and Characterization of Fe3O4@PEG Nanoparticles Loaded Sorafenib; Molecular Studies and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity in Liver Cancer Cell Lines DOI: 10.3390/polym15040971 -
N n bond confidence 1.0
“(i.e., fragmentation due to the electron impact glycine grand2a n n - 2909 2908 NH 3, CH daughter molecule), since in the current measurement, no 3+b n 2893 2894 2891 NH s 1510cm-1 2a more glycine existed when the band started to n n - 2878”
Compaction and Destruction Cross-Sections for α-Glycine from Radiolysis Process via 1.0 keV Electron Beam as a Function of Temperature DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1986 -
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“A broad absorption peak at 2878 covers stretching vibration from the benzene rings, CH asymmetric stretching bands and CH 2 3 cm-1 symmetric stretching bands.”
Self assembly of a Model Amphiphilic Phenylalanine Peptide/ Polyethylene Glycol Block Copolymer in Aqueous Solution DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2009.01.008 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“and also, a novel carbonyl group region presumably band at 2878 which represents the stretching vibrations glycol.34 obtained in the process of covalent attachment of PEG onto of the CH group of polyethylene This symmetric 2”
Gonzalez Torres 等 - 2018 - Synthesis of gamma radiation-induced PEGylated cis DOI: 10.1039/c8ra06296j -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“2933 2932 2934 2933 Symmetric C-H stretching 2878”
Khanna 等 - 2010 - In Situ Swelling Behavior of Chitosan-Polygalactur DOI: 10.1155/2010/175264
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