Infrared spectra of methanol, ethanol, and n-propanol

The infrared absorp tion spectra of m eth ano l, ethanol, a nd n-propanol have bee n measured wi th prism instruments. Studies have bce n made of the vapors and of several dilu te solu tio ns. Th e m ethanol spectra, betwee n 2 to 15 mi cron s, provided a direct comparison w ith t he other two alcohols and co nfirmed earli er wo rk on t h e cxistence of a number of lowintensity bands. The two other a lcohol s were studied from 2 to 36 mi crons. T he ?ands have been class ified in relation to the O -H , C -H , C -O, a nd C -C vibratIOn s wlthlll th e molecules. The long-wave absorption , in the region beyond 30 mi crons, for each alcohol, is att ribu ted to t he hindered rotation of OH. Th e ob ject of t he present stud y was to confirm t he ass ig nmen ts for m ethanol and to stud y and assign th e vibrat ional spectra of ethanol and n-propan ol.