You are given an organic solution which reacts with most organic solvents. how would you obtain the IR spectrum of it?
To obtain the IR spectrum of an organic solution, you can follow these steps:
1. Prepare a thin film or a transparent liquid cell: First, you need to prepare a thin film or a transparent liquid cell to hold your organic solution for analysis. A thin film can be prepared by placing a drop of the organic solution onto a suitable substrate, such as a salt plate or a quartz plate. Alternatively, a liquid cell can be used, which consists of two transparent plates sealed together with a small gap to hold the solution.
2. Clean the spectrometer: Before use, ensure that the IR spectrometer is clean and free of any residues from previous analyses. This can be done by cleaning the sample compartment and the optical components according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Background/reference measurement: Perform a background/reference measurement. This measurement allows you to obtain the spectrum of the solvent or material used to prepare the film or fill the liquid cell. It is important to subtract this spectrum from the subsequent measurements to obtain the true spectrum of the organic solution.
4. Sample measurement: Place the prepared organic solution film or liquid cell into the sample compartment of the IR spectrometer. Ensure that it is properly aligned and positioned for measurement.
5. Configure the spectrometer: Set the necessary parameters on the IR spectrometer, such as the spectral range and resolution. The suitable range depends on the expected absorption bands of the organic molecules you want to investigate, while the resolution should be chosen based on the desired level of detail.
6. Acquire the IR spectrum: Begin data acquisition by initiating the scanning process on the spectrometer. The spectrometer will emit infrared light through the sample, and the resulting transmitted or absorbed light will be measured.
7. Data analysis and interpretation: After acquiring the IR spectrum, it is necessary to analyze and interpret the data. Identify the characteristic absorption peaks or bands in the spectrum, compare them to known functional groups or compounds, and draw conclusions about the structure and composition of the organic solution.
It's important to note that precautions should be taken while handling and analyzing organic solutions, especially if they are toxic or volatile. Safety protocols and guidelines should be followed at all times.