1.3.

0 Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

1.3.1 Electromagnetic Radiation:

James Maxwell (1831-1879) proposed that a changing electric field could

create a changing magnetic field and this would create an electric field these fields would
continue to generate each other.

The changing magnetic fields and electric fields travel through space as transverse
waves at right angles this is known as electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic radiation includes visible light, microwaves and x-rays.

11 | P a g e
1.3.2 Infrared spectroscopy:
Infrared spectroscopy is the spectroscopy that deals with the infrared region of the
electromagnetic spectrum that is light with a longer wavelength and longer frequency than
visible light. Infrared spectroscopy is the analysis of infrared light interacting with a
molecule. It is based on absorption spectroscopy.

Infrared region:

INFRARED REGIONS RANGE

Near Infrared region 0.8 – 2.5 µ
Main Infrared region 2.5 – 15 µ
Far Infrared region 15 – 200 m µ

1.2.4 Principle:
When infrared “light” or radiation hits a molecule, the bonds in the molecule absorb
the energy of the infrared and respond by vibrating. Molecules are made up of atoms linked
by chemical bonds. The movement of atoms and the chemical bonds looks like spring and
balls (vibration).
12 | P a g e
1.3.5 Graph of the IR spectrum:

1.3.6 Mode of vibration:

The molecules can be vibrate in a number of ways .Two atoms joined by a covalent
bond can undergo a stretching vibration where the atoms move back and forth as if joined by
a spring.

Molecular vibration:
“Any change in shape of the molecule –stretching of bonds, bending of atoms, or
internal rotation around single bonds”.

Molecular vibration can be divided into two main types:

Fundamental vibrations:
Vibrations which appear as band in the spectra.

Non-Fundamental vibrations:
Vibrations which appears as a result of fundamental vibrations.

13 | P a g e
Fundamental Vibrations:
Fundamental vibrations are also divided into types:

(i) Stretching Vibration:

Stretching vibration involves a continuous change in the inner atomic distance along
the axis of the bond between 2 atoms. It requires more energy so appear at shorter wave
length.

(a) Symmetric stretching:

Inter atomic distance between two atoms increases /decreases.

(b) Asymmetric stretching:

Inter atomic distance between two atoms is alternate/ opposite.

For example:
Carbon dioxide bonds present in the molecule. The Symmetric stretching, in this case of
CO2 does not result in a change in the dipole moment and hence it is IR inactive. The
asymmetric stretching on the other band is IR active.

(ii) Bending:
Scissoring, rocking, twisting etc. are the some of the important types of bending vibrations.

Types of bending:

14 | P a g e
1.3.7 IR INSTRUMENTATION:

 The instrumentation of infrared spectroscopy is drawn

 First a beam of IR light from the source is split into two and passed through the
reference and passed through the reference and the sample respectively.
 Now, both of these beams are reflected pass through a splitter and then through a
detector
 Finally, the required reading is printed out after the processor deciphers the data
passed through the detector.
Major components:
 Source
 Optics
 Monochromatic
 Detector
 Record

1.3.8 FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED (FTIR) SPECTROMETER

PRINCIPLE:

The FTIR spectroscopy was developed to overcome the limitation with dispersive
instruments. The main difficulty was the slow scanning process. Infrared spectrum is an
important record which gives sufficient information about the functional group of a
compound. A method for measuring all of the infrared frequencies simultaneously, rather
than individually as dispersive instruments.

THEORY:

FTIR spectrometry was developed in order to overcome the limitations encountered

with dispersive instruments. The main difficulty was slow scanning process. A method for
measuring all of the infrared frequency simultaneously, rather than individually, we needed.
A solution was developed which employed a very simple optical device called an
15 | P a g e
interferometer. The interferometer process is a unique type of signal which has all of the
infrared frequencies “encoded” into it. Most interferometers employed a beam splitter which
takes the incoming infrared beam and divided it into two optical beams .One beam reflects
off a flat mirror which is fixed in plane. The other beam reflects off a flat mirror which is on
a mechanism which allows the mirror to move a very short distance away from the beam
splitter. The two beam reflect off their respective mirror and are recombined when they meet
back at the beam splitter. Because the path that one beam travel is a fixed length and the other
is constantly changing as the mirror moves, signal which exists the interferometer is the result
of these two beams “interfering” with each other.

1.3.9 CONSTRUCTION:
The two mirrors are perpendicular to each other .The beam-splitter is a semi-
reflecting device and is often made by depositing a thin film of germanium on to a flat kBr
substrate.

WORKING:
 Radiation from the broad band IR beam is transmitted to the fixed mirror and the
remaining half is reflected to the moving mirror.
 Radiation from the broad band IR source is collimated and directed into the
interferometer and impinges on the beam splitter.
 At the beam-splitter half of the IR beam is transmitted to the fixed mirror and the
remaining half is reflected to the moving mirror.
 After the divided beams are reflected from the two mirrors they are reflected from the
two mirrors they are recombined at the beam-splitter.
 Due to the changes in the relative position of the moving mirror, an interference
pattern is generated .The resulting beam then passes through the sample and is
eventually focused on the detector.

16 | P a g e
1.3.10 IR Table:

17 | P a g e
1.3.11 ADVANTAGES:
 Simpler mechanical design.
 Powerful data station.
 Majority of molecular in the universe absorb mid-infrared light, making it a highly
useful tool.
 Universe technique.
 Sensitive, fast and easy.

1.3.12 DISADVANTAGES:
 Cannot detect atoms or monoatomic entities contain no chemical bonds.
 Cannot detect molecules comprised of two identical atoms symmetric. Such as N2 or
O2.
 Aqueous solutions are very difficult to analyze – water is a strong IR absorber.
 Complex mixtures- samples give rise to complex spectra.

1.3.13 APPLICATIONS:
 Identification of an organic compound.
 Structure determination.
 Study of chemical reaction.
 Study of complex molecules.
 Determination of impurities in a compound.
 Conformational analysis.

1.3.14 Conclusion:
The IR interpretation is the qualitative tool widely useful in pharmaceutical chemical
and fertilize industry’s to identify the functional groups. The remarkable increase in number
of proteins involving FTIR shows, it is important and plays specific role. The continuous
development of experimental strategies opens it’s filed of applications in various research
areas.

18 | P a g e