What absorbs at 3359 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3359 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 7 cited sources
Quick answer
A band near 3359 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) | 6 | 5 | 1.0 |
| N h | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 1 | 0 | 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 | 3359, 1735, 1650 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Amide | 1 |
| CS | 3359, 1645, 1720 | Hydroxyl (O-H), Alkyl C-H, Amide | 1 |
| PVA | 3359, 1660, 2930 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-H), Amide | 1 |
| lignin | 3359, 1035, 1510 | Alkyl C-H, Hydroxyl (O-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 3359 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
“Furthermore, doping has been shown to have a major impact on this process, as cm-1 seen in Figure 4, which depicts a large peak centered at 3359 as the source of the -OH stretching [65].”
Characteristics of Methyl Cellulose Based Solid Polymer Electrolyte Inserted with Potassium Thiocyanate as K+ Cation Provider: Structural and Electrical Studies DOI: 10.3390/ma15165579 -
confidence 1.0
“The very broad FTIR peak at 3359 also related cm-1 cmto stretching of N-H bond in urea.”
Majeed 等 - 2017 - Lignin macromolecule's implication in slowing the DOI: 10.1002/star.201600362 -
Amide confidence 1.0
“The amide-A vibrations at 3359”
Suzuki 等 - 2008 - Structural Changes of Salinibacter Sensory Rhodops DOI: 10.1021/bi801358b -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Aziz 等 - 2020 - From Cellulose, Shrimp and Crab Shells to Energy S DOI: 10.3390/polym12071526 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“In the spectrum of Ch-PVA-NaOH-TPP after the adsorption process, a displacement at 3363 cm-1 is observed in the stretch band at 3359 of the OH group, which could be due to the electrostatic cm-1 cm-1 interaction of the fluoride with the OH”
Judith Valdez-Alegria 等 - 2020 - Synthesis of Chitosan-Polyvinyl Alcohol Biopolymer DOI: 10.3390/biom10010156 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“a 3359 Hydroxyl group stretching (O-H) from aliphatic and aromatic [36] Hydroxyl group stretching (O-H) from aliphatic a 3359 b”
Physical and Chemical Properties of Acacia mangium Lignin Isolated from Pulp Mill Byproduct for Potential Application in Wood Composites DOI: 10.3390/polym14030491 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 0.9
“Text: '3359cm-1. -OH N-H and stretching'”
Almahamid 等 - 2022 - Application of Factorial Design and Response Surfa DOI: 10.1155/2022/1967606
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 literature-backed analysis — in seconds.