What absorbs at 3292 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3292 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 3292 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroxyl (O-H) | 10 | 9 | 1.0 |
| N h | 4 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 2 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Protein | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 | 1 | 0.9 |
| Amine primary | 1 | 1 | 0.9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVA | 3292, 1660, 2930 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 |
| rGO | 3292, 2358, 2930 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Alkyl C-H, N h | 1 |
| nanoparticles | 3292, 1732, 1647 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 |
| hydrogels | 3292, 3281, 1700 | Alkyl C-H, N h | 1 |
| polyvinyl alcohol | 3292, 1141, 1640 | 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 3292 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
-
Alkene (C=C) confidence 1.0
“PG showed N-H Figure 2a-d depicts the SEM images of the hydrogels withcm-1, cm-1, stretch at 3292 C=C stretch at 1532 and C-Cl out the drugs.”
Owonubi 等 - 2018 - Characterization and in vitro release kinetics of DOI: 10.1007/s40090-018-0139-2 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The seven peaks positions at (3291.55, 2920.14, 1585.21, 1417.49, 1265.30, 1020.30 and 897.28) cm-1 correspond to O-H stretching, C-H stretching vibration of the CH, CH and CH 3, 2 Asymmetrical COO- (stretching carboxyl group), scissoring -”
Abead 等 - 2023 - Study physical characteristics of Polyvinyl Alcoho DOI: 10.15764/pche.2014.02001. -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The OH sample MA3 shows maximum thermal stability with 28.5% stretching frequencies in MA1, MA2, and MA3 appear at 3292cm-1, 404°C.”
Ali 等 - 2022 - Nanoclay Reinforced Ternary Blends Based on Biodeg DOI: 10.1155/2022/6585305 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Preparation and Physicochemical Characterization of Softgels Cross-Linked with Cactus Mucilage Extracted from Cladodes of Opuntia Ficus-Indica DOI: 10.3390/molecules24142531 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“2 signals at 3292 and 2935 cm-1 correspond to the stretching of the OH and CH2 groups, respectively”
De Anda-Flores 等 - 2020 - Covalently Cross-Linked Nanoparticles Based on Fer DOI: 10.3390/pr8060691 -
Amide confidence 1.0
“cm-1), cm-1), cm-1), In fact, the bands Amide A (3292 Amide B (2922 Amide I (1626 widely vary depending on the film type and manufacturer.”
Advantages of External Reflection and Transflection over ATR in the Rapid Material Characterization of Negatives and Films via FTIR Spectroscopy DOI: 10.3390/polym14040808 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“β-Cyclodextrin, In the FTIR spectrum of a broad transmittance peak is reported at cm-1 3292 which is due to the valence vibrations of O-H bonds in the primary hydroxyl β-cyclodextrin groups (C-OH).”
Synthesis and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Nanosponges with Cyclodextrin Blends for Drug Solubility Improvement DOI: 10.3390/gels8010055 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“cm-1 Regarding PVA, the peak at 3292 is attributed to O-H stretching vibration,”
Design of Asymmetric Nanofibers-Membranes Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol and Wool-Keratin for Wound Healing Applications DOI: 10.3390/jfb12040076
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