What absorbs at 2979 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 2979 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 5 cited sources
Quick answer
A band near 2979 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 | 5 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Carbohydrate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 1 | 0 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 0 | 1.0 |
Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single authoritative rule. Always confirm against your sample context.
Possible materials
| Material | Supporting peaks | Overlapping groups | Cited sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| TiO2 nanoparticles | 2979, 1700, 455 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| Al2O3 | 2979, 1722, 1383 | Hydroxyl (O-H), 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 2979 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
-
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The peaks OH-stretching contribution in the region between ~3700 and ~3000 The cm-1 cm-1 at ~2979 cm-1 and ~2938 cm-1 are assigned to C-H stretching, while the peak centered at peaks at ~2979 and ~2938 are assigned to C-H stretching, while”
Hydrating Capabilities of the Biopolymers Produced by the Marine Thermophilic Bacillus horneckiae SBP3 as Evaluated by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy DOI: 10.3390/ma15175988 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“At 3009 in IR spectrum of oily vitamin A, C-H asymmetrical stretching from the CH2 groups of the oleic acid the IR spectrum of oily vitamin A, C-H asymmetrical stretching from the CH groups of the oleic 2 cm-1-theoretical cm-1) (2979 cm-1-t”
Spectroscopic Characterization of Emulsions Generated with a New Laser-Assisted Device DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071729 -
Carbohydrate confidence 1.0
“O-H stretching 2925 2925 C-H stretching of the pyranose ring 2979 -------- Symmetric stretching C-H of CH3 of Ethyl ester”
Flores-Hernandez 等 - 2021 - Synthesis of a Biodegradable Polymer of Poly (Sodi DOI: 10.3390/polym13040504 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 0.8
“C-H vibration”
Wang 和 Lin - 2005 - Reactions of trimethylindium on TiO2 nanoparticles DOI: 10.1021/jp050892v -
confidence 0.8
“Negative absorption at 2979 indicates desorption of -OCH2CH3 ligands.”
Cho 等 - 2015 - Mechanistic study of atomic layer deposition of Al DOI: 10.1116/1.4927318
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