What absorbs at 778 cm⁻¹ in an FTIR spectrum?
A band near 778 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 778 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon-oxygen (Si-O) | 5 | 5 | 1.0 |
| Alkyl C-H | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Methacrylate | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Acetate | 4 | 4 | 1.0 |
| Methoxy (OCH3) | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| C-O single bond | 3 | 3 | 1.0 |
| Siloxane (Si-O-Si) | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| Aromatic ring | 2 | 2 | 1.0 |
| N-O bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C-S single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonate | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Boron nitrogen | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Alkene (C=C) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ketone | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ester | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carboxyl (COOH) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Carbonyl (C=O) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Amide | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Secondary amine | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| N h | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| C c single bond | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Fluorine (C-F) | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Ring structure | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Silicon carbon | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
| Metal oxygen | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| starch | 778, 1650, 1540 | Methacrylate, Alkyl C-H | 1 |
| polystyrene | 778, 1020, 1600 | Alkyl C-H, Methacrylate | 1 |
| hematite | 778, 1030, 469 | Silicon-oxygen (Si-O), Silicon (Si) | 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 778 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
-
Aromatic ring confidence 1.0
“The aromatic ring in fly ash was seen at the band 777.60 cm-1 (Reza et al.,”
Preparation and Characterization of Sound-Absorbent Based on Polystyrene Reinforced Primary Sludge and Fly Ash from Pulp Mill DOI: 10.14716/ijtech.v14i3.5131 -
Silicon carbon confidence 1.0
“changes in the film composition, are given in literature: cm-1 cm-1in The SiC vibration mode shifted from 778 for a-SiC:H to 855 SiCN:H [12].”
Peter 等 - 2013 - FTIR analysis of a-SiCNH films deposited by PECVD DOI: 10.1016/j.vacuum.2013.04.014 -
Acetate confidence 1.0
“The broad band between 1250 and 750 imply the stretching vibrations of alcoholic cm-1) C-O in C-O-H bonds (~1075 and in the asymmetric and symmetric C-O-C bonds (~778 cm-1).”
Pourmohammadi 和 Abedi - 2020 - The effect of pre and post-ultrasonication on the DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.205 -
Ring structure confidence 1.0
“The PPy spectrum shows char4.80x10-2 cm-1 cm-1 1.0 1.5 2.0 and 883 which may be acteristic peaks at 778 3.60x10-2 Cos PPy-CuS (30%) attributed to out of plane ring deformation of C-H or C-H”
In-Situ Chemical Synthesis, Microstructural, Morphological and Charge Transport Studies of Polypyrrole-CuS Hybrid Nanocomposites DOI: 10.1007/s10904-020-01747-8 -
confidence 1.0
“g c f spectra of complex M showed an absorption band at c c c c cm-1 c 778 corresponding to adjacent H atom of naphtha-”
Aiad 等 - 2012 - Synthesis and Biocidal Activity of Some Naphthalen DOI: 10.1007/s11743-011-1286-z -
N h confidence 1.0
“due to C-O stretch, 2900 cm-1 and 2964 cmdue to N-H stretches, 1436 cmand 1727 cm-1 1 1 cm-1, cm-1, cm-1, cm-1, cm-1 at 1727 1610 778 1517 and 756 corresponds to crystalline form 1409 due to NNH bending, and 778 cm-1 due to NH out of plane”
How to Improve Solubility and Dissolution of Irbesartan by Fabricating Ternary Solid Dispersions: Optimization and In-Vitro Characterization DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112264 -
confidence 1.0
“Due to the molecular water, symmetric stretching vibrations of Si-O-Si were found at 778.22 cm-1 in most of the specimens.”
Effective Utilization of Copper Slag for the Production of Geopolymer Concrete with Different NaOH Molarity under Ambient Curing Conditions DOI: 10.3390/su142316300 -
Silicon (Si) confidence 1.0
“Yellow Ochers Quartz (SiO2) was also identified in varying amounts in all samples via the characteristic doublet observed at 797 and 778 cm-1 (Si-O symmetrical stretching vibration) and the peak at Based on the FTIR spectra registered on th”
Assessment of Easily Accessible Spectroscopic Techniques Coupled with Multivariate Analysis for the Qualitative Characterization and Differentiation of Earth Pigments of Various Provenance DOI: 10.3390/min12060755
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