What absorbs at 2978 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 2978 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 2978 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 | 10 | 10 | 1.0 |
| Methyl | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| chitosan | 2978, 1650, 1655 | Alkyl C-H, Acetate, Methacrylate | 1 |
| PVDF | 2978, 1160, 840 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate, Acetate | 1 |
| cellulose | 2978, 1735, 1650 | Alkyl C-H, 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 2978 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 bands at 3046 may be assigned to the OH group, while the cm-1 weak bands at 2978 and 2871 could be due to the C-H stretching vibrations which are”
Synthesis, crystal structures, quantum chemical studies and corrosion inhibition potentials of 4-(((4-ethylphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol and (E)-4-((naphthalen-2-ylimino) methyl) phenol Schiff bases DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2017.06.104 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“They (C-H stretching reported that the frequencies of allicin in FTIR spectra were 3083 cm-1 2), 2978 cm-1 (C-H stretching symmetric of =CH 2),1634 cm-1 (a medium asymmetric of =CH”
Tasci 等 - 2016 - Determination of alliin and allicin in the plant o DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1143.19 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“cm-1 165 The IR bands at 2978, 2885 and 2360 were corresponds to C-H stretch and H-C=O cm-1 166 functional groups (Kumar et al., 2016).”
Extracellular green synthesis of chitosan-silver nanoparticles using Lactobacillus reuteri for antibacterial applications DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2020.101838 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“(cid:0)1 peak at 2978 cm is assigned to the CH stretching The transport of the produced smoke out of the vibrations of the CH group [30,31].”
Adeniyi 等 - 2022 - Evaluating the nature of captured exhaust soot fro DOI: 10.24200/sci.2021.57008.5017 -
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“Aromatic and aliphatic C-H stretching bands appeared at 3164 cm-1 and 2978 cm-1, respectively.”
Spectroscopic and Physicochemical Investigations of Azomethines with Triphenylamine Core towards Optoelectronics DOI: 10.3390/ma15207197 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“cm-1 The vibrational peaks at 2978 assigned to -CH symmetric and asymmetric vibrations of typical polysachaaride have been disappeared on adding the salt.”
Helen 等 - 2023 - Amelioration of ionic conductivity (303 K) with th DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1557220/v1 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Jaleh 等 - 2015 - Characteristics of PVDF Membranes Irradiated by El DOI: 10.3390/membranes5010001 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“also the case for pure EMIMOAc in which there was a strong 3070cm-1 ]O-H 2800 and the region compared to autopeak at 2978cm-1 2900 a reduced prominence of the peak.”
Kathirgamanathan 等 - 2015 - Two-Dimensional FTIR as a Tool to Study the Chemic DOI: 10.1155/2015/958653
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