What absorbs at 3376 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 3376 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 5 cited sources
Quick answer
A band near 3376 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 | 4 | 1.0 |
| N h | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| chitosan | 3376, 1650, 1655 | Hydroxyl (O-H), N h | 1 |
| montmorillonite | 3376, 1637, 523 | 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 3376 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
“cm-1 O-H band at 3376 indicates the presence of stretch (HbDegrees of freedom.”
Enhancement of antibacterial activity through phyto‐fabrication of silver nanoparticles with Ficus thonningii aqueous extracts DOI: 10.1049/nbt2.12093 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“GAL showed characteristic peaks at 3376 for O-H stretching of cm-1 is of the ketonic carbonyl group.”
Boubezari 等 - 2020 - Laccase-Based Biosensor Encapsulated in a Galactom DOI: 10.3390/bios10060070 -
Hydroxyl (O-H) confidence 1.0
“The FTIR spectra of Silymarin showed peaks at 3376.44 corresponding to phenolic (OH) cm-1 The FTIR spectra of Silymarin showed peaks at 3376.44 cm-1 corresponding to phenolic (OH) vibrations, 1663.04 corresponds to mixed (C=O) amide and (C=”
Sharma 等 - 2018 - Formulation and Evaluation of Silymarin-Loaded Chi DOI: 10.3390/jfb9030052 -
confidence 1.0
“A broad band of 3376 is indicative of and zinc ions by the stretching vibration of the hydroxyl groups of alcohols Eff ect of initial solution pH acids13.”
Wierzba - 2017 - Biosorption of nickel (II) and zinc (II) from aque DOI: 10.1515/pjct-2017-0001 -
N h confidence 0.9
“Text: 'N-H at 3376'”
Fernandez-Gomez 等 - 2023 - Effect of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Functional DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.016
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.