What absorbs at 3341 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3341 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 3341 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) | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| N h | 3 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 1 | 1 | 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 |
| Oxygen heterocycle | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N n bond | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| cellulose | 3341, 1735, 1650 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 |
| hemicellulose | 3341, 1730, 897 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 |
| epoxy | 3341, 1660, 1735 | Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| lignin | 3341, 1035, 1510 | Alkyl C-H, Methoxy (OCH3), Hydroxyl (O-H) | 1 |
| biomass | 3341, 1082, 1282 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Methoxy (OCH3) | 1 |
| glucose | 3341, 1740, 1400 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Methoxy (OCH3) | 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 3341 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
“35-37] Table 1 FTIR peaks corresponding to the source [15, (cm-1) Vibration Source Wavenumber O-H 3341 stretch Polysaccharides”
Modification of hemp shiv properties using water-repellent sol–gel coatings DOI: 10.1007/s10971-018-4621-2 -
confidence 1.0
“Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Study cm-1, The FTIR analysis of PtNPs showed a broad band at 3341 which was owed to cm-1 the N-H enlarging vibration of the -NH group.”
An Amperometric Acetylcholine Biosensor Based on Co-Immobilization of Enzyme Nanoparticles onto Nanocomposite DOI: 10.3390/bios13030386 -
N n bond confidence 1.0
“11.3 stretching (5) Si-O asymmetric 1154 1144 1130 1167 stretching (6) N-H(cid:5)(cid:5)(cid:5)N stretching 3341 3345 3351 3358 that there are no N-N and H-H bonds present in the (7) N-H stretching 3389 3396 3399 3403”
Ay 和 Aydinli - 2004 - Comparative investigation of hydrogen bonding in s DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2003.12.004 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Jambrekovic 等 - 2022 - Viscoelastic and Thermal Properties of Styrene Mod DOI: 10.3390/polym14040786 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“A relatively wide band centered at a 3341 peak is typical of (O-H) (hydroxyl) associated with water at the NLFs' surface [30,31].”
Ballistic Performance, Thermal and Chemical Characterization of Ubim Fiber (Geonoma baculifera) Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composites DOI: 10.3390/polym15153220 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Maize Stalk Material for On-Site Treatment of Highly Polluted Leachate and Mine Wastewater DOI: 10.3390/ma14040956 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“cm1, cm1, cm1 cm1, 1219 A shift in bands was noticed (from 3361 C-O, C-C stretch to 1147 and C-O-C stretch to 3341”
Sibiya 和 Moloto - 2017 - Shape control of silver selenide nanoparticles usi DOI: 10.1515/gps-2016-0057 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“cm-1 bands including 3069 for C-H stretching, 1497 for C-C stretching, and 728 for C-H out GlycerolonpoplarhadthebandsforO-Hstretchingat3341cm-1, ofplanebending[41].”
Zhuang 等 - 2020 - Observation of Potential Contaminants in Processed DOI: 10.3390/app10124345
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