How To: Perform infrared spectroscopy in the chemistry lab

The Interactive Lab Primer (ILP) has been developed as part of the Royal Society of Chemistry Teacher Fellowship Scheme, one of the themes of the Chemistry for Our Future program, and initiative which aims to secure a strong and sustainable future for the chemical sciences in higher education. The aim of the ILP is to address the diverse range of experience and skills students bring with them to a university by offering a resource to support their transition from school to the university chemistry laboratory. The ILP is quite simply a visual guide to common laboratory techniques.

This video tutorial will teach you how to perform infrared spectroscopy in the chemistry lab. Infra Red (IR) spectroscopy is a technique which reveals the bonds present in a compound and therefore can be used to identify functional groups. A sample of reaction product can be analyzed to confirm its composition by comparison to a pure sample, or to judge the extent of reaction by comparison with the starting material.

Always make yourself aware of the hazards associated with the chemicals involved in a practical before you even start. If you ever come across a chemical you do not know the hazard of you must assume that is very hazardous until you find otherwise.