What absorbs at 3059 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3059 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 3059 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 | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 6 | 6 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ring structure | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Oxygen heterocycle | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 1 | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polystyrene | 3059, 1020, 1600 | Aromatic ring, Alkyl C-H | 2 |
| polyethylene | 3059, 1737, 1720 | Alkyl C-H, Aromatic ring | 2 |
| Chitosan | 3059, 1650, 1655 | Alkyl C-H, N h | 1 |
| graphene oxide | 3059, 1150, 3400 | Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| hydroxyapatite | 3059, 1620, 1639 | Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| cotton | 3059, 1030, 1638 | 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 3059 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
-
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“The peak of 2922.36 cm-1 attributed to C-H bonds with benzene, and the band at 3059.46 corresponded to (Ar-H) bond absorption [19].”
Hidayani 等 - 2022 - Acoustic and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene DOI: 10.37358/Mat.Plast.1964 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“The band at 2922.36 cm-1 and 3059.46 cm-1 corresponded to C-H bonds with benzene and Ar-H.”
Preparation and Characterization of Sound-Absorbent Based on Polystyrene Reinforced Primary Sludge and Fly Ash from Pulp Mill DOI: 10.14716/ijtech.v14i3.5131 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“The spectrum cm-1 TEL demonstrated the characteristic peaks at 3059 (aroof cm-1 cm-1 matic C H stretch), 2957 (aliphatic C H stretch), 1699 cm-1 (carboxylic acid), 1599 (aromatic C C bending and stretchcm-1”
Telmisartan complex augments solubility, dissolution and drug delivery in prostate cancer cells DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.09.077 -
Oxygen heterocycle confidence 1.0
“cm-1 hydroxyl group of cellulose contributed to the peak at 3425 Additionally, a small band found at 3059 was associated with the copolymer's oxirane ring.”
Cotton functionalized with polyethylene glycol and graphene oxide for dual thermoregulating and UV-protection applications DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31415-z -
Alkene (C=C) confidence 1.0
“1,6-Bis[4-(phenyliminomethylidene)-phenoxy]-hexane cm-1): ν, FTIR (KBr, 3059 (=C-H stretch of the aromatic rings), 2940-2866 (C-H stretch of aliphatic chains), 1620 (-N=CHstretch), 1606, 1573, 1507 (C-C ring stretch), 1244, 1H-NMR 1165 (C-O”
Mesomorphic Behavior of Symmetric Azomethine Dimers Containing Different Chromophore Groups DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082183 -
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“Bands at 3059, 2986, 2918, and 2824 broad band at 3456 cm-1 cm-1 were due to both aromatic and aliphatic C-H stretching vibrations.”
Inclusion and release of theophylline from chitosan based microparticles DOI: 10.3906/kim-0812-29 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“3026 C - H stretching methyl group 3059 C - H stretching methylene group 3082 C - H stretching methylene group”
Siddaiah 等 - 2018 - DOI: 10.1590/1980-5373-MR-2017-0987 -
confidence 1.0
“symmetric vibration of cis-HC=CHAbsent 3058.77 3052.99 N-H and aliphatic chain -CH 2- (C-H) stretching 2921.95”
Formulation, Configuration, and Physical Properties of Dental Composite Resin Containing a Novel 2π + 2π Photodimerized Crossl DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3480
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