University Chemistry

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Visualized teaching of infrared spectroscopy: from Gaussian’s Freq command to GaussView implementation

Dongjie Tian1, Yanjie Huang1, Xiaoyu Yuan1, Menghong Shi1, Xiaochuan Li2, Lijie Liu1, Cuilian Xu1, Xin Zheng1   

  1. 1 College of Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, China;
    2 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, Henan Province, China
  • Received:2025-12-18 Revised:2026-03-26
  • Contact: Dongjie Tian, Cuilian Xu, Xin Zheng E-mail:tdongjie@foxmail.com;xucuilian666@126.com;zhengxin@henau.edu.cn

Abstract: A core challenge in infrared spectroscopy education lies in students’ comprehension of molecular vibrational modes and their correlation with characteristic absorption peaks. This study introduces a visualization approach utilizing Gaussian’s “Freq” command, which effectively integrates theoretical concepts, vibrational animations, and spectral data to enhance instructional clarity. The methodology empowers students to independently construct molecular systems and achieve active learning through dynamic observation, thereby significantly improving their autonomous ability to analyze infrared spectra.

Key words: Infrared spectroscopy, Theoretical calculation, Freq, Molecular vibration and characteristic absorption, Visual teaching