Mass Spectroscopy Mass spectroscopy is a powerful tool in organic chemistry that can be used to provide information about the molecular formula and structural sub units When it is combined with techniques of infrared and NMR it can be very useful in identifying unknown compounds

The Design of a Mass Spectrometer

The Design of a Mass Spectrometer

The Mass Spectrometer The mass spectrometer contains a vacuum chamber into which a small amount of a compound is vaporized. The molecules are then bombarded by high energy electrons which cause the molecule to fragment into molecular ions

The Mass Spectrometer The accelerated fragments are passed though a magnetic field that causes them to be deflected. The amount to which a particle isdeflected depends on its molecular mass

Mass Spectra A typical molecule may fragment in several different places. The ion formed from the loss of the electron is called the parent ion. The parent ion may fragment into smaller pieces. Each fragment is deflected to a different extent. Hence each peak appears in the Mass Spectrum

Peaks in the Mass Spectrum Butane could in four different ways, each of which forms a signal in the mass spectrum

Multiplicity of Peaks Carbon has isotopes 13 C and 14 C as well as 12 C. Likewise there are isotopes of hydrogen including 1 H, 2 H and 3 H. Hence a fragment with the formula CH 3 has a a predominate mass of 15 but has smaller peaks representing the heavier isotopes of carbon and hydrogen

Mass Spectra for Butane

Mass Spectrum for Acetone

Mass Spectrum Ethanoic Acid

Mass Specturm for Toluene

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