What absorbs at 3360 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3360 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 3360 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) | 24 | 23 | 1.0 |
| N h | 13 | 11 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Hydrogen bond | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Water (H2O) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 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 |
| C n single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Urethane | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 | 1 | 0.8 |
| N-O bond | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| rGO | 3360, 2358, 2930 | Hydroxyl (O-H), N h | 1 |
| Fe3O4 | 3360, 2358, 1673 | Hydroxyl (O-H), N 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 3360 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
-
confidence 1.0
“The spectrum for the 3 580.96cm-1, cm-1, composite Fe 3O with rGO shows vibrational signatures at 3360”
Devi 等 - 2020 - Investigation of chemical bonding and supercapacit DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2020.107756 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“cm-1 broad OH stretching band at 3360 present in”
Fareed 和 Stamboulis - 2014 - Nanoclay addition to a conventional glass ionomer DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.143619 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“However, 3360cm-1 created by the incorporation of trivalent cations, as previonly OH bands at 3320 and have been identified 3270cm-1 Al3+ Mg2+, ously proposed by Hill (1968).”
Lueder 等 - 2023 - A framework for quantitative in situ evaluation of DOI: 10.5194/ejm-35-243-2023 -
Water (H2O) confidence 1.0
“The protruding peak observed at 3360 illustrates the hydroxyl (OH) present on the sensing surface due to the washing steps with water and buffers.”
Aluminosilicate Nanocomposite on Genosensor: A Prospective Voltammetry Platform for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutant Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53573-9 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
ZAVARIN 等 - 1990 - ANALYSIS OF SOLID WOOD SURFACES BY DIFFUSE REFLECT DOI: 10.1080/02773819008050253 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“LLM confirmed rule peak-group candidate”
Biosorption of B-aflatoxins Using Biomasses Obtained from Formosa Firethorn [Pyracantha koidzumii (Hayata) Rehder] DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070218 -
Amide confidence 1.0
“As can be seen, there is evidence of both lamine, for example, three defined peaks at 2853, 2919, and 2953cm-1 lysine and amide in the solutions (rather than just unreacted characteristic of symmetric and asymmetric -CH2 3360cm-1 are due to”
Alexander 等 - 2016 - Carboxylation and Decarboxylation of Aluminum Oxid DOI: 10.1155/2016/7950876 -
Alkyl C-H confidence 1.0
“presence of hydroxyl groups (3360 C H stretchthe dence that the organocatalytic reaction involved essentially the cm-1);”
Avila Ramirez 等 - 2014 - Surface esterification of cellulose nanofibers by DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.08.020
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