The document summarizes the infrared spectra of 159 inorganic compounds, primarily salts of polyatomic ions. It presents the spectra in graphical and tabular form, with characteristic frequencies identified for 33 polyatomic ions. These characteristic frequencies are shown to be useful in qualitative analysis of inorganic mixtures containing unknown compounds. The document also discusses the experimental methods used and classifications of different types of vibrations observed in ionic, molecular, and covalent solids.
1. Infrared Spectra and Characteristic Frequencies
of Inorganic Ions
Their Use in Qualitative Analysis
FOIL A. MILLER AND CHARLES H. WILKINS
Department of Research in Chemical Physics, Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh 13, Pa.
Polyatomic ions exhibit characteristic infrared spec- A brief classification of the various types of vibrations in
tra. Although such spectra are potentially useful, crystals may be appropriate. Ionic solids are considered fiist.
there is very little reference to them in the recent In a crystal composed solely of monatomic ions, such as sodium
literature. In particular, the literature contains no chloride, potassium bromide, and calcium fluoride, the only
extensive collection of infrared spectra of pure in- vibrations are “lattice” vibrations, in which the individual ions
organic salts obtained with a modern spectrometer. undergo translatory oscillations. The resulting spectral bands are
In order to investigate the possible utility of such broad and are responsible for the long wave-length cutoff in
data, the infrared spectra of 159 pure inorganic transmission. I n a crystal containing polyatomic ions, such as
compounds (principally salts of polyatomic ions) calcium carbonate or ammonium chloride, the lattice vibrations
have been obtained and are presented here in both also include rotatory oscillations. Of greater interest in this
graphical and tabular form. A table of character- case, however, is the existence of “internal” vibrations. These
istic frequencies for 33 polyatomic ions is given. are essentially the distortions of molecules whose centers of mass
These characteristic frequencies are shown to be and principal axes of rotation are a t rest. The internal vibrations
useful in the qualitative analysis of inorganic un- are characteristic of each particular kind of ion.
knowns. Still more fruitful is a combination of I n molecular solids, such as benzene, phosphorus, and ice, the
emission analysis, infrared examination, and x-ray units are uncharged molecules held in the lattice by weak forces
diffraction, in that order. Several actual examples of the van der Waals type, andoften also by hydrogen bonds. The
are given. It is evident that a number of problems same classification into internal and lattice modes can be made.
involving inorganic salts containing polyatomic ions A few examples of such solids are represented in this paper (boric
will benefit by infrared study. The chief limitation acid, and possibly the oxides of arsenic and antimony).
at present is the practical necessity of working with Finally there are the covalent solids, such as diamond and
powders, which makes it difficult to put the spectra quartz, in which the entire lattice is held together by covalent
on a quantitative basis. bonds. Here the distinction between lattice and internal vibra-
tions disappears. One might a t first expect an ill-defined and
featureless spectrum, but such is not the case. Actually there
A LTHOUGH there has been a vast amount of work on the
Raman spectra of inorganic salts ( 2 , 4 ) , the study of them
in the infrared has been relatively neglected. Schaefer and Mat-
are bands that are very Characteristic. The situation is in
some ways analogous to that in a polymer, which in spite of its
ossi (10) have reviewed work done up to 1930, most of which deals size and complexity possesses a remarkably discrete spectrum.
with reflection spectra. The most extensive surveys of infrared Silica gel is the only representative of this type included here.
absorption spectra have been made by Lecomte and his coiTorkers
EXPERIMENTAL
(6, 7 ) , but unfortunately many of their data are somewhat out
of date and are not always presented in the most useful form. Origin and Preparation of Samples. Practically all the samples
References to studies on a few ions are given in the books by Wu were commercial products of C.P. or analytical reagent grade.
(12) and by Herzberg ( 3 ) . There has recently been renewed The samples were gound to a fine powder to minimize the scatter-
interest in the detailed study of the infrared spectra of selected ing of light, and were examined as Sujol mulls. When there were
salts, as exemplified by the papers of Halford ( 8 ) , Hornig ( I I ) , spectral features that were obscured by the Sujol bands, the
and their coworkers. The well known Colthup chart ( 1 ) con- samples were either run as a dry powder or mulled in fluorolube (a
tains characteristic frequencies for nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, mixture of completely fluorinated hydrocarbons. Fluorolube is
phosphate, and ammonium ions. An excellent recent paper by a product of the Hooker Electrochemical Co., perfluoro lube oil
Hunt, Kisherd, and Bonham ( 5 ) contains the spectra of 64 of E. I. du Pont de Semours & Co.). Some compounds, such
naturally occurring minerals and related inorganic compounds. as ferric nitrate nonahydrate (No. 49) and calcium permanganate
Aside from sixteen spectra in this latter paper, there is in the tetrahydrate ( S o . l50),seemed to mull up in their own water of
literature no compilation of infrared spectra of inorganic salts hydration. When the fine powder x a s rubbed between salt
obtained with a modern spectrometer. I t therefore seemed worth plates, it acquired the appearance and feel of a typical mull, but
while to make a fairly extensive survey to seek answers to the fol- no appreciable fogging of the salt plates resulted. For other com-
lowing questions: Is it generally possible to obtain good spectra? pounds, such as potassium carbonate, breathing on the sample
Do the ions possess frequencies which are sufficiently characteris- achieved the same result. This is not recommended, however,
tic to be useful for analytical purposes? What is the effect on for it varies the water content unnecessarily, and with potas-
the vibrational frequencies of varying the positive ion? Is sium carbonate some of the bands are shifted.
infrared spectroscopy useful in the analysis of salts? Although these techniques are satisfactory for qualitative
This paper presents the spectra from 2 to 16 microns of 159 examination, it may be of interest t o list some other methods
pure inorganic compounds, most of which are salts containing which have been mentioned in the literature for handling inor-
polyatomic ions. A chart of characteristic frequencies for 33 such ganic solids. Lecomte, who introduced most of them, has pointed
ions is given. The use of these data for the qualitative analysis out that a finely ground dry powder scatters very little radiation
of inorganic mixtures is demonstrated. Finally, a number of of wave length greater than 6 microns and consequently it may
interesting or puzzling features of the spectra are described. be used directly in that region (6, 7 ) . He also suggests coating
1253
3. V O L U M E 24, NO. 8, A U G U S T 1 9 5 2 1255
Table 11. Positions and Intensities of Infrared Absorption Bands
v w = very weak w = weak m = medium s = strong vs = verystrong s h = shoulder b = broad vb = verybroad s p = sharp imp. = impurity
* = KBr region (15-25~) eyamined
C m . - 1 Microns I Cm. -1 Microns I Cm. -1 hficrons I Cm. -1 Microns I
1. Sodium metaborate 9. Boron nitride 20. Potassium bicarbonate 31. Sodium metasilicate
NaBOz BN KHCOa NarSiOa. 5Hz0
862 11 60 w 810 12.35 w 705 14.2 s 715 14.0 s
925 10 80 vs, b 1390 7.2 s 833 12.0 s , s p 775 12.9 s
1175 8 50 ni 990 10.1 s 832 12.03 s
1310 7 64 rs 10. Lithium carbonate 1010 9.9 9 980 10.2 YS
1655 6 05 m LipCOp 1370 7.3 m, sh 1125 8.9 m
3470 2 85 YS, vb 864 1 1 . 5 8 in 1410 7.1 vs 1165 8.58 m
1445 6.92 s 1630 6 . 1 5 vs 1695 5.9 m
2. M a nesium metaborate 1490 6.7 s 2380 4.2 w 2330 4.3 m
M%Bo~)~.~H~o 2600 3 . 8 5 s , vb 3280 3 . 0 5 vs, vb
11. Sodium carbonate 2950 3.37 m
808 12.4 s
NapCOa 32. Potassium metasilicate
838 11.95 m 21. Sodium cyanide KtSiOa
892 11.2 vw 700 14.3 in NaCN (NasCOa impurity)
952 10.5 w 705 14.2 m 770 13.0 vw
1005 9.95 m 855 11.7 v w 865 11.55 m , imp. 990 1 0 . 1 vs, vb
1085 9.2 s 878 11.4 s 1310 7 . 6 5 vw 1625 6.15 vw
1130 8.8 s 1440 6 . 9 5 vs 1460 6 . 8 5 vs,imp. 3330 3.0 m
1220 8.2 w 1755 5.7 m, sp 1640 6.1 m
1370 7 3 s 2500 4.0 m 2080 4.8 s 33. Sodium silicofluoride
1420
1640
3360
7 05
6 1
2 98
s
w
s
2620
-3000 - 3 . 8 2 vw
3.3 m, vb
2220
3330
4.5
3.0
w, vb
m , vb
728
Na2SiFa
13.73 v s
m,sh
3500 2 86 s 12. Potassium carbonate 22. Potassium cyanide 790 12.7
KzCOa KCN (KHCOa, K ~ C O S impurities) 1105 9.05 vw
3. Lead metaborate
Pb(B0z)n. HzO 865 11.55 m 833 1 2 . 0 m , imp. 34. Silica gel
900 1 1 . 1 vw 11.35 vw, imp.
960
1340
1380
1 0 . 3 s, vb
7.45 m
7.2 Nujol?
1450
-3220 -
6.9
3.1
vs
m, vb
882
1440
1635
2070
6 . 9 5 s , imp.
6.12 8
4.83 s
800
948
SiOz. xHzO
12.5
10.55
w
w
3280 3.05 m 13. M a nesium carbonate basic 1090 9,l5 vs
3 M g e O ~Mg(OH)n.3H;O
. 23. Potassium cyanate 1190 8.4 s,sh
4. Sodium tetraborate 800 1 2 . 5 vw KOCN (KHCOa impurity) 1640 6.1 vw
NazBiOi. lOHzO 855 11.7 vw 3330 3.0 m
712 14.05 w 885 11.3 vw 706 14.17 s. imp.
775 12.9 w 1430 7.0 vs 833 12.0 s,rmp. 35. Sodium nitrite
828 12.1 s 1490 6.7 vs 980 10.2 m, !mp. NaNOz
843 10.6 s 3450 2.9 111, vb 1010 9.9 m , imp.
. ~~
1210 8 25 m , sp. 831 12.03 m, s p
1000 10.0 s 1310 7.65 n , s,p.
' 1250 8.0 vs
1075 9.3 w 14. Calcium carbonate 1335 7.5 m,sh
1130 8.85 m CaCOa 1410 7.1 v s , !mp.
1640 6.1 vs, imp.
1260 7.95 m 715 14.0 w 2130 4.7 s , yb 36. Potassium nitrite
1275 7.85 m 877 11.4 s , s p 2630 3.8 s , imp. KNOz
1360 7.35 vs 1430 7 . 0 vs
1420 7.05 vs 1785 5.6 vw 830 12.05 s , s p
1460 6.85 Nujol? 2530 3.95 vw 24. Silver cyanate 1235 8.1 vs
1650 6.05 m AgOCN 1335 7 . 5 m, sp
3330 3.0 vs 15. Barium carbonate 1210 8 . 2 5 vw 1380 7.25 m
BaCOa 1310 7.65 w 2560 3.9 vw
5. Potassium tetraborate 1345 7 . 4 3 vw 3450 2.9 vw
K2BiOi. 5Hn0 697 1 4 . 3 5 vi
858 11.65 s , s p 2170 4.6 vs
705 14.2 vw 1440 6 . 9 5 vs 3450 2.9 vw 37. Silver nitrite
782 12.8 vw AgNOz
833 12.0 s 16. Cobaltous carbonate 25. Ammonium thiocyanate 833 12.0 w
918 10.9 s COCOS NHiSCN 848 11.8 v w
1000 10.0 s 1250 8.0 vs
1060 9.45 vw 747 1 3 . 4 vw 1420 7.05 s
865 11.55 m 1650 6 05 m 1380 7.25 vs
1085
1130
1155
1240
9.2 s
8.85 v w
8.65 w
8.05 m
1450
-3330 - 6.9 vs
3 . 0 w , vb
2050
2860
3060
4 88 s
3.5 m
3.27 s
38. Barium nitrite
Ba(N0n)z. H20
1315 7 . 6 2 sh 17. Lead carbonate 3149 3.18 s
PbCOa 820 12.2 w
1340 7.45 s 1235 8.1 vs
1440 6.95 s 685 14.6 w 26. Sodium thiocyanate 1330 7.53 m
1655 6.05 w NaSCN 1640 6.1 m
840 1 1 . 9 vw
2480 4 03 vw 1410 7.1 YS 758 13 2 w 3360 2.98 m ,sp
3330 3.03 s 950 10 5 vw, b 3510 2.85 m , SP
3390 2.95 s 18. Ammonium bicarbonate 1620 6 18 m
3560 2.81 s NHiHCOi 2020 4 9 8 39. Ammonium nitrate
3330 3 0 ni NHiNOa
6. Manganese tetraborate 703 14.25 s
MnBiOi.8HzO 832 12.02 s, sp 830 12.05 w
993 10.08 s 27. Potassium thiocyanate 1340
990
1065
10.1
9 . 4 1 s , vb
1030
1045
9.7
9.58
w, SP
w , SP
KSCN
13.4 m
1390
1630
;:i5}
6.13 w
1150 8.7 746
1325 7.55 vs, b 945 10.6 vw, vb 1740 5.75 w
1370 7.3 s 1400 7.15 vs, s p w
1450 6.9 m 1630 6.13 m
1620 6.17 s 2020 4.9 s
1640 6.1 w 1655 6.05 s
3390 2.95 8 3400 2.95 m
1890 5.3 w 3410 2.93
2550 3.92 m 28. Barium thiocyanate
7. Sodium perborate 3060 3.27 VS,SP 40. Sodium nitrate*
NaBOs.4HzO 3160 3.17 vs, sp Ba(SCN)z. 2HzO
NaNOa
770 13 0 vw 1630 6.15 m
833 12 0 w 19. Sodium bicarbonate 2060 4 . 8 5 vs, s p 836 11.96 m , s p
852 11 75 w NaHCOs 3500 2 . 8 5 vs 1358 7.36 vs
877 11 4 vw 1790 5.59 v w
662 1 5 . 1 5 w (COZ?) 2428 4.12 vw
934 10 7 TS
698 14.35 R 29. Mercuric thiocyanate
1020 9 8 8
838 11.95 Hg(SCN)z
1075 9 3 m 41. Potassium nitrate
1000 10.0 835 1 2 . 0 vw KNOI
1175 8 5 s 1035 9.65
1240 8 05 s 1105 9 . 0 5 vw
1050 9.55 1150 8.7 vw 824 12.14 m, s p
1655 6 05 w 1295 7.73 1380 7 . 2 5 vs
3330 3 0 vs 1370 7.3 s
1410 7.1 1615 6.2 w 1767 5 . 6 6 vw
1460 6.85 2090 4.78 8
8. Boric acid
807
&BO3
12.4 m
1630
1660
1900
E}
5.27 m
5 3450 2.9 w 42. Silver nitrate
AgNOa
3 . Lead thiocyanate
0
885 11 3 vw 2040 4.9 vw Pb(SCN)E 733 13.64 vw
1195 8.37 s,sp 2320 4.3 w (COZ?)
1450 6.9 vs 2500 4.0 s. b 2030 4.93 8. sp 803
835 12.45 w
11.98 vw
3270 3.15 s 2940 3.4 2080 4.8 w 1348 7.42 YB
4. 1256 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Table 11. Positions and Intensities of Infrared Absorption Bands (Continued)
vw = very weak w = weak m = medium s = strong vs = very strong ah = shoulder b = broad vb = very broad sp = sharp imp. = impurity
* = I<Br region (15-25p) examined
Cm. - 1 RZicrons I Cm. - 1 Microns I Cm. -1 Microns I Cm.-' hlirrons I
43. Calcium nitrate 54. Calcium phosphate, tribasic 63. Magnesium phosphate, dibasic 70. Calcium phosphate monobasic,
Ca(N0a)z Caa(P0a)z MgHP04.3H20 Ca(H2POa)z. ~ 2 0
820
1044
1350
1430
12.20 w
9.58 vw
7 4
7.0 s
s
962
1030
1085
3230
10.4 v w
9 . 7 ' YS, vb
9.2
3 . 1 m, b
1
882
1020
1055
1160
11.35 m
9.8
9.5
8 6
s
s
8
670
855
885
915
14.9 m, vh
::::}
w, r b
10 9 ' v w , sh
1640 6.1 m 950 10 5 s. h
3450 2.9 s 55. Manganese phosphate, tribasic 1085 9 2 s,b
Mns(P0a)z. 7Hz0 1160 8 6 w
44. Strontium nitrate 1235 8 1 s,b
935 10.7 vw, sh 1640 6.1 m
Sr(NOdz 980
1020
1040
1070
10.2
9.8 s
9.6
9.35 s
w
?sh
35 m
2320
-2980
4.3
-
m, vb
3.35 s , v b
1145 8.75 w 71. Sodium metaarsenite
1250 8.00 w NaAsO,
1300 7.7 w 64. Calcium phosphate, dibasic
2470 4.05 vw CaHPOa. 2H20 697 14.36 vs, b
3170 3,l5'! 748 13.35 m
880 11.35, m 775 12.9 w,ah
45. Barium nitrate
Ba(N0s)t
3330
3450 i:: I 990
1050
10.1
9.5 1 s, r b
833
848
12.0 s, sp
11.8 s , s p
56. Nickel(ous) phosphate, tribasic 1125 8.9 J 1420 7.06 v w
729 13.72 6 , SP 1350 7.4 ? 1460 6.85 m, sp
817
1352
1418
1774
12.24 S , S P
7 . 4 0 vs
7.05 m,sp
5 64 w, SP
735
877
Nia(P0a)~.
13.6
11.4 w
7Hz0
w. vb
1650
-2270
-3000
-
6.07 m
-
4.4
3.3
m, vb
m
3450
72.
2.90 w , b
Calcium orthoarsenate,
2410 4.15 UT, b 943 io 6. w., Rh.~. 3610 2.85 v w , sh
tribasic
100.5 9.95 s
46. Cupric nitrate
Cu(N0a)z. 3Hz0
1060
-1440
1595
-
9 . 4 5 w, sh
6 . 9 5 w (Sujol
6.27 w
?) +
65. Barium phosphate, dibasic
Ca,(AsO4)2
836 11.96 w -3030 3.3
N s BaHPOa
1378 7.26 vs 3450 2.9 m,sp
1587 6.30 6, SP
1790 5 58 v w 57. Copper(icj phosphate, tribasic
2431 4 . 1 1 vw C~a(POa)2.3Hz0
3170 3 15 w
3360 2.98 s, b 645 15.5 m
855 11.7 m 73. Sodium orthoarsenate, dibasic
47. Cobaltous nitrate 925 10.8 s NazHAsOa.7HzO
Co(NOa)2.6HzO 960 10.4 s 2440 4.1 w
1010 9.9 s 2700 3.7 w 712
807 12 4 vw, r b 1070 9.35 s 836
836 11 96 w, 6p 1100 9.1 m , sh 1175
1372 7 29 vs 1140 8.75 m 1280
1640 6 1 m 1290 7.75 m 1640
66. Ammonium phosphate 2175
3230
3410
48.
3 1
2.93 s
m , sh
Lead nitrate
3390
58.
2.95 m
Lead phosphate, tribasic
Pbs(P0a)z 900
monobasic
NHaHzPOa
11.1 w , vb
2380
-3130 -
Pb(N0a)z 1080 9.25 m, b 74. Lead orthoarsenate, dibasic
1275 7.85 m PbzHAsOc
726 13.77 u' 1420 7.05 w, sh
807
836
1373
12.39 v w
11.96 w, sp
7.28 w 59. Chromic phosphate, tribasic
1440
-1610
-2270
-
-
6 . 9 5 rn
6.2
4.4
w, vb
w, vb
743
800
13.45 m , b
12.5 vs
CrPOa. H?O 2900 3 . 4 5 w, sh
49. Ferric nitrate 3050 3.28 m 75. Potassium orthoarsenate,
Fe(NOa)a,9HzO 1030 9.7 vs, vb monobasic
1625 6.15 w KHzAsOa
835 11.98 w 3230 3 . 1 E, b
1361 7 . 3 6 vs 750 13.3 m, b
1613 6.19 m 60. Ammonium phosphate, dibasic 67. Sodium phosphate, monobasic 850 11.75 m, b
1785 5.6 vw (NHa)zHPOc NaH2POa. HzO 1020 9 8 vw, b
2440 4.1 vu. 1266 7.9 m, vb
3230
50.
3 . 1 s , vb
Bismuth subnitrate
1585
-2275
-2740
-
-
6.3
4.4
3.85
m ,vb
m. vb
m
BiONOa. H20
816 12 27 vw 76. Arsenic trioxide
1325 7.55 s AS?Oa
1380 7.25 vs
1640 6.1 vw 803 1 2 . 4 5 vs
3390 2.95 m, b 1640 6.1 m , vb 840 11.9 w, sh
2850 4 . 2 5 s, b 1040 9 6 vw, b
51. Sodium phosphate, tribasic 2820 3.55 s , b
NaaPOa. 12H20 77. Antimony trioxide
694 1 4 . 4 real? Sb2Oa
1000 1 0 . 0 vs 61. Sodium phosphate, dibasic 690 14.5 w
1450 6.9 vw NanHPOa. 12HzO 68.Potassium phosphate 740
monobasic* 1 8 . 5 vs
1660 6.03 m 865 11,55 9 950 1 0 . 5 vw, b
3200 3.13 vs, b KHzPOc
958 1 0 . 4 5 w, sh
985 10.15 S 538 18 59 m
52. Potassium phosphate, tribasic 1070 9 . 3 5 17s 900 1 1 . 1 m, vb 78. Antimon pentoxide
KaPOi 1125 1090 9.15 m , b Sbr8r
8.9 u-,sh
1000 10.0 vs, vh 1145 8 . 7 5 vw, sh 1300 7.7 m 685 1 4 . 6 v w , real?
1590 6 . 3 w , vb 1185 8 45 w 1640 6 1 m, b 740 13.5 s , v b
3180 3.15 vs, b 126.5 7.9 W 2320 4.3 m, b 3225 3.1 w, b
53. Magnesium phosphate, tribasic
Mga(POajz.4HzO
1630
-2220
3280
-
6.13 m
4 . 5 w , vb
3 . 0 5 vs, vb 79. Ammonium sulfite
69. Magnesium phosphate, (NHa)zSOa. H20
768 13.05 w, b 62. Potassium phosphate, dibasic monobasic
887 1 1 . 3 vw, b 1105 9 . 0 5 vs, b
KzHPOc Mg(H2POa)z 1410 7 . 0 8 v s , sp
1% %E5] ," 837 11.95 s 755 13.2 w. vb 3075 3.25 s
1040
1135
1155
8.83
8.65
m
w,sh
934
990
1110
10.7 s
1 0 . 1 vs, vb
9.0 w,sh
943
1040
1150
10.6
9.6
8.7 J
m,vb 1 80. Sodium sulfite
Na2S03
1230 8.13 w 1350 7.4 m, sp 1235 8.1 w , sh
1640 6.1 m 1835 5.45 m 1640 6.1 m 960 10.4 rs,b
3260
3460
3.07
2.9
s
m, s h
2380
2860
4.2
3.5 m
m iii: s. b 1135
1215
11.35 w
8 2 vw