A. Introduction 1. General Introduction to the Electromagnetic Spectrum 2. The Classical Theory of Vibrational and Rotational Spectroscopy 3. The Quantum Theory of Vibrational and Rotational Spectroscopy 4. Distribution and Life-times of Energy States 5. Vibrations of Polyatomic Molecules B. Instrumentation for Infrared Spectroscopy 1. Instrumentation for Dispersive Infrared Spectroscopy 2. Instrumentation for Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy 3. Computers and Infrared Spectroscopy C. Sample Handling 1. A Little History 2. Experimental Methods 3. Optimization of Signal 4. Cells 5. More Specialized Methods D. An Introduction to Spectrum Interpretation 1. Revision 2. Factors Which Simplify Infrared Spectra 3. Factors Which Complicate Spectra 4. The Fingerprint Region 5. Reliable Absorptions A Summary E. Hydrogen Bonding 1. The Importance of the Hydrogen Bond 2. Hydrogen Bonding - the Background Theory 3. Expected Changes in Spectra 4. Observed Effects of Hydrogen Bonding 5. Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding 6. Effect of Solvent F. Quantitative Analysis 1. The Beer - Lambert Law 2. Simple Analysis 3. Multicomponent Analysis 4. Use of Dedicated Microcomputers 5. Use of Infrared Monitoring in Chemical Plants G. Spectrum Interpretation 1. Empirical Use of Group Frequencies 2. A Closer Look at One Functional Group - the Carbonyl Group 3. Characteristic Absorptions of the Common Classes of Organic Compounds 4. Identification of Unknown Compounds 5. Examples for Further Practice