Identify the major peaks and their wavenumbers
Check the 4000–1500 cm⁻¹ region for functional groups
Check the 1500–500 cm⁻¹ region for the fingerprint pattern
Look for broad O–H stretches around 3200–3600 cm⁻¹
Look for N–H stretches around 3300–3500 cm⁻¹
Look for C–H stretches near 2850–3100 cm⁻¹
Look for C≡N and C≡C stretches near 2100–2260 cm⁻¹
Look for C=O stretches near 1650–1800 cm⁻¹
Look for C=C stretches near 1600–1680 cm⁻¹
Compare peak shape, intensity, and exact position
Use the fingerprint region to confirm the compound
Match the spectrum to known functional group patterns
Consider multiple peaks together, not a single peak alone