UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

CAWANGAN PERLIS
TEST 2

COURSE : SPECTROCHEMICAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS

COURSE CODE : CHM 580

TIME : 1 Hour

INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES

1. Answer ALL questions.

NAME :

UiTM NO :

GROUP :

LECTURER'S :
NAME

Total Marks / 30

1
QUESTION 1

True / False

Chromophores can be defined as molecules containing unsaturated

1 T
functional groups and capable of absorbing UV/vis radiation
Conjugation between two or more chromophores in a molecule will move the
2 wavelength of the absorption band from visible to UV region (shorter F
wavelength)

3 An IR active molecule must have symmetrical bonds F

The primary use of an IR spectrophotometer is to detect functional group of a

4 T
molecule or compound

5 In IR, a 'neat' liquid refers to an aqueous solution F

Sodium chloride plates will melt when used to run the IR spectrum of a
6 T
compound that contains some water

(3 marks)

Fill in the blanks with correct answers/terms.

1. Three methods of preparing solid samples for infrared spectroscopy are KBr peletting method,
Nujol/Mull method and dissolved the sample in IR solvent.

2. In IR, the two major modes of vibration of a molecule are stretching and bending.

3. The most useful region of an IR spectrum is known as fingerprint because compounds usually
give a unique set of absorption bands in the area.

(3 marks)

QUESTION 2

Provide two (2) most obvious absorption bands and approximate wavenumber for the IR spectrum
of propanoic acid.
(2 marks)
Answer:

Type of bond Wavenumber

O-H 3400 – 2500 cm-1
C-O 1320 – 1210 cm-1
C=O 1760 – 1670 cm-1

(any two)

2
QUESTION 3

A technician working in the undergraduate laboratory found the labels had fallen off two bottles of
chemicals. He ran an infrared analysis of the content of each bottle. Based on the IR spectrum below,
identify the correct compound of the spectrum in (a) and (b).

Labels:
Compound P: Butanal Compound Q: Butanone
(a)

Fermi doublet

Answer:

Compound Compound P: Butanal

(1 mark)
(b)

3001 1720

Answer:

Compound Compound Q: Butanone

(1 mark)

3
QUESTION 4

(a) Describe about the term dipole moment.

(2 marks)

Magnitude of the charge difference and the distance between the two centers of charge (1 + 1)
OR
A quantity that describes two opposite charges separated by a distance (1 + 1)

(b) Briefly explain why a C=O bond stretch occurs at 1750 cm-1 while a C-O stretch occurs at 1100
cm-1.
(2 marks)
The C=O is a stronger bond, so it vibrates at higher wavenumber (higher energy and
frequency) than the single bond. Frequency α bond strength

(c) Calculate the wavelength (in nm) of the C=O bond stretch. Given C=O bond stretch occurs at
1750 cm-1.
(2 marks)

v wavenumber = 1/ 𝜆
𝜆 = 1 / (1750 cm-1) = 5.714 x 10-4 cm ............(1)

𝜆 in nm = 5.714 x 10-4 cm 10-2 m nm = 5714.29 nm .......(1)

cm 10-9 m

QUESTION 5

(a) List any (2) types of basic components of UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Give an example for each
of the component, respectively.
(4 marks)
Ans:

Component Example
Radiation source Tungsten/halogen lamp
Prism, grating, absorption filter, interference
Wavelength selector / monochromator
filter
Sample container Quartz, fused silica
Detector Phototubes/ PMT/ PDA
Signal processor and readout Computer

4
(b) When producing Beer’s Law plot, measurement are usually made at the wavelength of the
absorption maximum (𝜆max). Explain why this wavelength is used.
(2 marks)

Because at this particular wavelength (λmax) is corresponds to the highest value of molar
absorptivity, which leads to a greater sensitivity. The change in absorbance value per unit
concentration is greatest at this point. Also, absorbance is nearly constant with constant at
λmax.

(c) Draw a diagram which explain the possible electronic transitions of a typical organic molecules
that absorb UV-Vis radiation.
(4 marks)

y-axis: energy .... (1)

Turutan x-axis: σ , π , n ,π*, σ* ..........(1)

Arrow transition (any two)

n → π* ............(1)
π*→ π* ............(1)
n → σ*
σ → σ*
σ → π*

(d) Describe the principle of operation of a photon/quantum detector.

(3 marks)

• Based on the photoelectric effects, (1)

• where photoelectrons are ejected from a photopositive surface by electromagnetic radiation
(1)
• The photoelectrons are attracted to the anode, resulting in photocurrent which can be
amplified and measured (1)

(e) The λmax for naphthalene is 210 nm. Determine the position of λmax in benzene (more or less than
210 nm). Given:

(1 mark)
Ans: Less than 210 nm

5
APPENDIX