What absorbs at 2891 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 2891 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 2891 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 | 14 | 11 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 1 | 0.7 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| polyethylene | 2891, 1737, 1720 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 |
| cotton fabric | 2891, 900, 862 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Carbohydrate | 1 |
| graphene oxide | 2891, 1150, 3400 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| cotton | 2891, 1030, 1638 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Carbohydrate | 1 |
| polyethylene glycol | 2891, 1030, 1587 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-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 2891 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
“The band at cm-1 2891 is assigned as -CH stretching in cellulose-II (Higgins et al.”
Bian 等 - 2021 - Crystalline Structure Analysis of All-cellulose Na DOI: 10.1007/s10570-017-1259-0 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“cm-1 cm-1 2891 (C-H stretching), PF127 and gallic acid;”
Dual-responsive (pH/temperature) Pluronic F-127 hydrogel drug delivery system for textile-based transdermal therapy DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48254-6 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“1633 C-O stretching 1734 C =O stretching 2891 CH stretching vibration”
Cuiffo 等 - 2021 - Thermochemical degradation of cotton fabric under DOI: 10.1186/s40691-021-00263-8 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“The stretching vibration of C-H in cellulose is correlated to the band at 2891 while the presence of cm-1.”
Cotton functionalized with polyethylene glycol and graphene oxide for dual thermoregulating and UV-protection applications DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31415-z -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The FTIR spectra of the raw OPEFB and treated OPEFB cellulose represent a broad peak at the region of 3353 and 2891 cm-1 due to the -OH stretching of the aliphatic struc-”
On the Use of OPEFB-Derived Microcrystalline Cellulose and Nano-Bentonite for Development of Thermoplastic Starch Hybrid Bio-Composites with Improved Performance DOI: 10.3390/polym13060897 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The broad band centred at 3295 and those at 2928 and 2891 cm-1, νOH νCH corresponded to the and vibrational modes, respectively.”
Rapid and Non-Destructive Techniques for the Discrimination of Ripening Stages in Candonga Strawberries DOI: 10.3390/foods11111534 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Rumengan 等 - 2017 - Characterization of chitin extracted from fish sca DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/89/1/012028 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“The peaks at 2891.3 and 1022.6 are due to cm-1 C-H stretching and -Ostretching, respectively.”
Physical Properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose from Palm Bunch and Bagasse Agricultural Wastes: Effect of Delignification with Hydrogen Peroxide DOI: 10.3390/polym12071505
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