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22.5 Spectroscopic Properties

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    32945
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    The influence of heteroatom substituents on the reactivity of carbonyl functions toward nucleophiles was discussed earlier with respect to carboxylic acid derivatives. A useful relationship exists between the reactivity of these derivatives and their carbonyl stretching frequencies. Thus, the very reactive acyl halides and anhydrides absorb at frequencies significantly higher than ketones, whereas the relatively unreactive amides absorb at lower frequencies. These characteristics are listed below.
    Infrared spectra of many carboxylic acid derivatives will be displayed in the figure below the table by clicking the appropriate buttons presented there.

    Carbonyl Derivative

    Carbonyl Absorption

    Comments

    Acyl Halides (RCOX)
    X = F
    X = Cl
    X = Br

    C=O stretch
    1860 ± 20 cm-1
    1800 ± 15
    1800 ± 15

    Conjugation lowers the C=O frequencies reported here, as with aldehydes & ketones.
    In acyl chlorides a lower intensity shoulder or peak near 1740 cm-1 is due to an overtone interaction.

    Acid Anhydride, (RCO)2O
    acyclic
    6-membered ring
    5-membered ring

    C=O stretch (2 bands)
    1750 & 1820 cm-1
    1750 &1820
    1785 & 1865

    Conjugation lowers the C=O frequencies reported here, as with aldehydes & ketones.
    The two stretching bands are separated by 60 ± 30 cm-1, and for acyclic anhydrides the higher frequency (asymmetric stretching) band is stronger than the lower frequency (symmetric) absorption.
    Cyclic anhydrides also display two carbonyl stretching absorptions, but the lower frequency band is the strongest.
    One or two -CO-O-CO- stretching bands are observed in the 1000 to 1300 cm-1 region.

    Esters & Lactones (RCOOR')
    esters
    6-membered lactone
    5-membered lactone
    4-membered lactone

    C=O stretch
    1740 cm ± 10 cm-1
    1740 cm ± 10
    1765 cm± 5
    1840 cm ± 5

    Conjugation lowers the C=O frequencies reported here, as with aldehydes & ketones
    Strong CO-O stretching absorptions (one ot two) are found from 1150 to 1250 cm-1

    Amides & Lactams (RCONR2)
    1° & 2°-amides
    3°-amides
    6-membered lactams
    5-membered lactams
    4-membered lactams

    C=O bands
    1510 to 1700 cm-1 (2 bands)
    1650± 15 (one band)
    1670 ± 10 (one band)
    1700 ± 15
    1745 ± 15

    The effect of conjugation is much less than for aldehydes & ketones.
    The higher frequency absorption (1665± 30) is called the Amide I band. The lower frequency Amide II band (1620± 30 in 1° amides & 1530± 30 in 2° amides) is largely due to N-H bending trans to the carbonyl oxygen. In concentrated samples this absorption is often obscured by the stronger amide I absorption. Hydrogen bonded association shifts some of these absorptions, as well as the prominent N-H stretching absorptions.
    N-H stretch: 3170 to 3500 cm-1. Two bands for 1°-amides, one for 2°-amides.

    NMR Spectra

    Protons on carbons adjacent to carbonyls absorb at ~2.0-2.5 ppm.

    The N-H protons attached to primary and secondary amines absorb at ~7.5-8.5.

    The carbonyl carbon in carboxylic acid derivatives show up at ~ 160-180 ppm.

    The carbon in a nitrile appear ~ 115-120 ppm in their 13C NMR spectrum. This is because of their sp hybridization.


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