Infrared Spectroscopy: Interpreting Spectra

Now that you understand how IR spectroscopy works, the real skill lies in looking at a spectrum and deducing which functional groups are present. In Edexcel A-Level Chemistry, you are expected to identify functional groups from their characteristic IR absorptions and to distinguish between different types of compounds using IR data.

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Key Absorptions to Learn

The following table contains the absorptions you must be able to identify. These values should be committed to memory — they are tested repeatedly in exams.