A 2 day overview of how to interpret infrared spectra to determine unknown molecular structures. The course begins with what peak positions, heights, and widths mean and how to use this info to distinguish functional groups from each other. A 12-step program to successfully interpret spectra is presented along with how to deal with mixtures and how to perform identities properly. The bulk of the course is an examination of the important infrared bands of a wide variety of economically important molecules. Reference spectra are studied in detail, and many problem spectra are worked on in class with the help of your expert instructor. The course finishes with a discussion of how library searching and spectral subtraction make interpretation easier.

Day 1
I. The Fundamentals of Infrared Interpretation
    A. The Properties of Light
    B. Molecular Vibrations
    C. The Meaning of Peak Positions, Heights, and Widths
    D. How Molecules Absorb Infrared Radiation
    E. Assigning All the Features in a Spectrum
    F. A Strategic Approach to Spectral Interpretation
       1. Dealing with Mixtures
       2. Performing Spectral Comparisons (Identities) Properly
       3. A 12-Step Program for Infrared Interpretation
II. Functional Group Analysis of Hydrocarbons
   A. Alkanes: C-H Stretching and Bending Vibrations
      1. Straight Chain Alkanes
      2. Estimating Hydrocarbon Chain Length
   B. Alkenes: Distinguishing Isomers
   C. Alkynes
   D. Aromatic Hydrocarbons
      1. Mono-Substituted Benzene Rings
      2. Distinguishing Ortho, Meta, and Para Isomers
III. Functional Groups Containing the C-O Bond
   A. Overview: The C-O Stretch
   B. Alcohols & Phenols
      1. Differentiating Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Alcohols
      2. Phenols
      3. Distinguishing Alcohols and Water
   C. Ethers
      1. Symmetric and Asymmetric Ethers
      2. Saturated and Aromatic Ethers
   D. The Methoxy Group
Day 2
IV. The Carbonyl (C=O) Functional Group
   A. The C=O Stretch
   B. Ketones
   C. Aldehydes
   D. Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
      1. Carboxylic Acids
      2. Carboxylates (Soaps)
   E. Esters: The Rule of 3
V. Organic Nitrogen Compounds
   A. Amides
      1. Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Amides
      2. Proteins
   B. Amines
      1. Differentiating Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Amines
   C. Amine Salts
   D. CH₃ Groups Attached to Nitrogen
   E. Nitriles: The CºN Bond
   F. Nitro Compounds
VI. Infrared Spectra of Polymers
   A. Low and High Density Polyethylene
   B. Polypropylene
   C. Polystyrene
   D. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
   E. Nylons
VII. Interpretation Aids
   A. Spectral Subtraction: Simplifying Mixture Spectra
      1. Theory
      2. Optimizing Subtraction Results
      3. Spotting Artifacts
   B. Library Searching
      1. Background & Theory
      2. The Search Process
      3. Properly Interpreting Search Results
      4. Subtract & Search Again: Deconstructing Mixtures