InfraRed Spectroscopy provides structural information on the functional groups present within the compound being analysed and is a widely used analytical technique for the characterisation of compounds.

There are a number of techniques used to record IR spectra. Whilst all share the common principles of molecules absorbing IR energy resulting in a spectrum, the various methods differ in their acquisition and interpretation. Attenuated Total Reflectance is now the most commonly used technique within laboratories, as this provides a very simple and fast method for data acquisition. Transmission forms of IR are still used within laboratories, particularly for gas phase spectroscopy and cases where ATR may be ineffective, for instance some inorganic compounds.

These instrument pages cover the techniques used to acquire data within a laboratory. There are separate pages covering the analysis and interpretation of IR data which can be found within the data analysis and reporting section of the website which are linked below: