A General Chemistry Experiment to Predict and Measure Functional-Group Stretching Frequencies

Key Points

• The experiment aims to teach students how to compute and analyze infrared spectra to identify functional groups in molecules.
• First-year chemistry students computed infrared spectra using a molecular modeling program.
• Students generated a frequency chart based on the computed spectra.
• Participants used the chart to identify unknown functional groups.
• Students successfully generated and interpreted infrared spectra for different molecules.
• The activity improved understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and vibrational frequencies.