Knowledge Bank

The use of FTIR for VCD measurements is now capable of producing spectra of superior resolution and comparable S/N to those produced on a dispersive instrument. The technique of measuring FTIR-VCD spectra is discussed, particularly with respect to phase correction. Improper phase correction in the initial efforts at measuring VCD spectra via FTIR resulted in large baseline artifacts similar in appearance to the first derivative of the transmittance of the compound. These artifacts can now be eliminated. Representative spectra in the region between 2900 and $1000cm-1$ will be presented.