Spectroscopy of

Aldehydes and Ketones

IR Spectrum of Acetone

C=O

IR Spectrum of Acetophenone

C=O

IR Spectrum of Acetaldehyde

Ald. C-H
C=O

IR Spectrum of p-Tolualdehyde

Ald.C-H
C-H
Ald.

C=O
C=O

O
CH3CCH3

CH3

O
C

CDCl3 (solvent)

H
C
H
O

C
C

C
C

C
and
C

H
H

CH3

CDCl3 (solvent)

O
CH3C

H
H

O
H C

CH3

O
CH3CCH3

CH3

O
H

CH3C

H
H

CH3
H
C
H

H
H

C
C
H

C
C

H
H

O
H C

CH3

Summary of Spectral Features

IR:

C-NMR:

13

1710-1730 cm-1 (C=O stretching frequency)

(lower by ~ 20 to 30 cm-1 if C=O is conjugated)
aldehydes only: C-H stretch: 2820 & 2720 cm -1
both aldehydes and ketones have a
characteristic C=O peak at 190-215

H-NMR:
aldehydes only: ald. C-H absorbs at 10
both aldehydes and ketones have Hs to
C=O at 2.2-2.5