What absorbs at 3167 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3167 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 6 cited sources
Quick answer
A band near 3167 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N h | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C n single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Amine primary | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ammonium | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
Ranking reflects accumulated literature evidence, not a single authoritative rule. Always confirm against your sample context.
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 3167 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
-
Water (H2O) confidence 1.0
“3 tion of water molecules in the deliquescence process of (cid:3)3400, (cid:3)3272, (cid:3)3167 cm-1 ticles, while the peaks at and particles, including the water monomers adsorbed on NaNO are due to aggregated water molecules absorbed on t”
Lu 等 - 2008 - Molecular events in deliquescence and efflorescenc DOI: 10.1063/1.2973623(cid:5) -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“3539.8 Weakly H bonded OH vibrations 3487.1 Weakly H bonded OH vibrations 3166.7 Weakly H bonded OH vibrations 1648.3 H-O-H Symmetric bending vibrations 1214.2 PO4 P=O associated stretching vibrations bond, P=O stretching vibrations 1136.7”
Growth and characterization of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate crystals from single diffusion gel technique DOI: 10.1002/crat.200900700 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“Characteristic IR absorption peaks of pure CTZ of the cm-1), cm-1), aromatic C=C stretch (1589 C=N stretch (1570 matic C-H stretch (3167 cm-1) cm-1) and aromatic C-H bending (761 were present in the spectrum of the CTZ”
Gupta 等 - 2013 - Bioadhesive vaginal tablets containing spray dried DOI: 10.2478/acph-2013-0027 -
confidence 1.0
“The bands at 3382, 3358, 3217, 3167 cm-1 are due to N-H stretching of coordinated ammonia.”
Mixed Oxides Derived from Hydrotalcites Mg/Al Activein the Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Furfuralto Furfuryl Alcohol DOI: 10.3390/catal13010045 -
confidence 1.0
“new vibrational resonances owing to the formamidinium (FA) cm-1 cm-1 (N-H stretch), 3357 (N-H stretch), cation at 3406 cm-1 cm-1 cm-1 (N-H stretch), 3167 (N-H stretch), and 1714 3271”
Szostak 等 - 2019 - Nanoscale mapping of chemical composition in organ DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw6619 -
Amine primary confidence 1.0
“cm(cid:2)1): Lightyellowsolid,Yield:95%,m.p:235-237(cid:4)C,Rf:0.69(Acetone:n3478.58, 3432.99, 3385.93, hexane (7:3)), FTIR (KBr disc, cm(cid:2)1): (C(cid:3)N), (NH2, NH stretch), 3248.52 (Ar CH), 2189.38 1643.38 3339.23 3427.77, 3351.30 (N”
7-Hydroxy-4-phenyl-1, 2-dihydroquinoline derivatives: synthesis via one-pot, three-component reaction and structure elucidation DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05035
Have a spectrum with this band?
Upload your FTIR spectrum and get a full interpretation report — peak assignments with literature citations, library matches, and a confidence-rated evidence chain — in seconds.