What this workflow helps you do
Review possible FTIR functional groups using detected band evidence, not single-peak lookup alone. NotyPlot links suggestions to measured spectral features so you can consider supporting bands, overlaps and sample chemistry before retaining an interpretation.
Use this workflow when
- Interpreting a reviewed FTIR spectrum after band detection.
- Checking whether several bands support a proposed functional group.
- Documenting ambiguous or competing assignments instead of forcing a single answer.
What you need before you start
- An FTIR spectrum with correctly interpreted signal orientation and wavenumber axis.
- Reviewed detected bands.
- Basic sample context such as composition, treatment, expected chemistry or known contaminants.
Step-by-step workflow
- Import and analyze the FTIR spectrum to create a reviewed band list.
- Open the functional-group evidence and inspect which measured bands support each suggestion.
- Check whether related expected bands are present and whether important contradictory features exist.
- Consider overlap, mixtures, baseline artifacts and sample chemistry before accepting a suggestion.
- Retain supported interpretations and mark ambiguous cases rather than converting every suggestion into a definitive assignment.
- Export or annotate the spectrum with only the assignments needed for the scientific discussion.
What to review in the result
- Assignments are supported by more than an isolated approximate band match when possible.
- Suggested groups are chemically plausible for the sample.
- Overlapping ranges and alternative assignments are acknowledged.
- The final labels remain traceable to measured band evidence.
Before you report or export
- Use the interpretation as supporting evidence alongside complementary characterization when needed.
- Report important processing choices and spectrum type.
- Avoid naming a specific compound from generic functional-group ranges alone.
Limitations and interpretation
- Functional-group ranges overlap and are not unique fingerprints by themselves.
- Mixtures, hydrogen bonding and local chemical environment can shift or broaden bands.
- Knowledge-base suggestions support review; they do not replace reference spectra or expert chemical interpretation.