(UV-Vis) Spectroscopy

Friday, September 8, 2017 9:30 PM

1. What is UV-Vis Spectroscopy use for?

• Widely used (qualitative/quantitative analysis);

organic/inorganic compounds. Identify/study functional groups/substituents effects.
Comparison of samples. R&D.

• Color evaluation (colorimetric analysis): Plastics, pigments ,paints, textiles ,papers, windows, filters.
• Whiteness of samples: e.g.: paper industry (white/near white paper samples)
• petrochemicals: plastics (PVC production )
• construction: marble, limestone.
• Quantitative analysis (using Beer-Lambert law).

Electrons absorb energy (excited to a higher energy orbital).

Absorption of light: promotes electronic excitation.
Detection device: photoelectric device.
Spectra of absorbance vs. wavelength are obtained.
Ranges: Vis 40-72 kcal/mole; UV 75 — 150 Kcal/mole; (only and )

2. Choosing a Solvent

Solvent must be carefully chosen (transparent - does not absorb in region).

Usually: pure alcohols (ethanol), ethers, water, hexane, cyclohexane.
Operates with:
— Liquid samples (commonly).
— Solids (directly; sometimes dissolved ).
— Gases (some cases)
Limitations:
— Solvent/solute interactions
— Low concentrations preferable.

 Examples:

Notes Page 1
3. Two types of groups: chromophores & auxochromes.

ABSORBTION VS WAVELENGTH

Notes Page 2
4. Beer Lambert Law

The intensity of the light passing through the sample cell is also measured for that wavelength - given
the symbol, I. If I is less than Io, then the sample has absorbed some of the light (neglecting reflection of
light off the cuvetter surface). A simple bit of math is then done in the computer to convert this into
something called the absorbance of the sample - given the symbol, A. The absorbance of a transition
depends on two external assumptions.
• The absorbance is directly proportional to the concentration (c) of the solution of the the sample

Notes Page 3
• The absorbance is directly proportional to the concentration (c) of the solution of the the sample
used in the experiment.
• The absorbance is directly proportional to the length of the light path (l), which is equal to the
width of the cuvette.

Notes Page 4