Applications of Infrared Spectroscopy

• Identification of Organic Compounds: The infrared

spectrum is a highly characteristic property of a substance
and the examination of the infrared spectrum can aid
chemical investigation in many ways.
• Identification of Substances such as Hydrocarbons like
Alkenes, Cycloalkanes, Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
• Identification of Substances such as Hydroxy Compounds
like Alcohols and phenols.
• Identification of Substances such as Aldehydes and
Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Carboxylic Acid Derivatives,
Amines and Nitro Compounds.
• Studying the Progress of Reactions. Progress of a
chemical reaction can be readily followed by
examining spectra of small portions of reaction
mixture withdrawn from time to time.
• Detection of Impurities: It is likely to determine
whether a given sample of a compound is pure or
not provided the reference spectrum of the pure
compound is available.
• Measurement of Paints and Varnishes.
Frequently, paints and varnishes are measured by
reflectance analysis, a process where in the
sample is irradiated with IR light and the reflected
light is introduced into an IR instrument.
• In Industry. In industry, IR spectroscopy has three
important uses. First, it can be used to determine
impurities in raw material. This is necessary to ensure
good products.
• IR spectroscopy has been adopted as a tool for the
forensic analysis of a range of evidence types. Protocols
for the sampling and spectral analysis have been
developed for the various categories.
• The technique lends itself to the examination of paint,
fibers, tapes, questioned documents, explosives, and
drugs.