mass spectroscopy

• mass spectrum:

  • fingerprint for the molecule that can be identified by a computer
  • gives relative molecular mass
  • fragmentation patterns also give clues about the carbon skeleton
• what are the 3 uses of mass spectrum?

  1. identify unknown compounds
  2. to determine the abundance of each isotope in an element
  3. to gain more information
• how does mass spectroscopy work?

  BADD


  Bombardment (with electrons)

  Accelerate (the particle through the machine)

  Deflected (based upon mass:charge ratio)

  Detected
• what are two potential flaws of mass spectroscopy?

  neutral species are not detected and mass spectroscopy cause free radicals
• uses of mass spectroscopy:

  1. identifying elements
  2. mars probe
  3. monitoring levels of environmental pollution
  4. determination of isotopic masses
• M+1 peak is because of isotopes