Spectroscopy Interpreter

Click peaks to identify functional groups. Click atoms to find their absorptions.

Ethanol

CH₃CH₂OH - MW 46.07

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¹H NMR
Click peaks or atoms to connect spectrum to structure
4000350030002500200015001000500020406080100Wavenumber (cm⁻¹)% Transmittance

Concepts

Reading an IR Spectrum

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy measures which frequencies of infrared light a molecule absorbs. Each absorption corresponds to a specific bond vibration.

How to read the chart

The x-axis shows wavenumber (cm⁻¹), decreasing left to right. The y-axis shows % transmittance - dips downward mean the molecule absorbs that frequency.

Why it matters

Different functional groups absorb at characteristic frequencies, so IR spectra can identify what functional groups are present in an unknown molecule.

Learn more about how IR works →
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