Exam #1 Flashcards
In mass spectrometry, samples are converted to _______ , which are then separated by their ___________.
gaseous ions ; mass-to-charge (m/z)
A mass spectrum is ________________.
a plot of m/z (x-axis) vs. relative ion currents (y-axis)
Advantages of Mass Spectrometry
- Provides MW info and structure info
- High specificity
- VERY low limits of detection
- Minute amount of sample required (1 nanogram is all you need)
- Good for mixture analysis
- Fast
- Can be used for a wide variety of possible samples
__________ requires much lower amount of sample than NMR.
Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry is ______ based, while mass spectroscopy is _______ based.
particle ; frequency
Applications of Mass Spectrometry
-Structural determination of organics, biomolecules, polymers, catalysts, etc.
-Quantitation
-Mixture Analysis
-Elemental analysis
-Fundamental Chemistry
MW determination
-Quality Control
-Environmental Monitoring
Who discovered the mass-to-charge ratio in the late 1890s?
J.J. Thomson
Who developed the mass spectrometer and when was it developed?
J.J. Thomson, 1913
Positive Ray Apparatus
- Developed by Thomson between 1912-1919.
- Cathode rays (e- were ejected from a cathode by the impact of heavy ions) were used to ionize gases.
- “Positive rays” were passed through an electric or magnetic fields and then detected on photographic plates.
- Parabolic spectra related to m/z were detected.
_________ is the most common type of mass spectrometry.
Electron Ionization
Electron Ionization process
1) Volatile sample is vaporized
2) The sample is blasted with electrons and excess energy is absorbed (M+.)
3) Uni-molecular decomposition of M+
4) Produces ions
5) a. mass analysis of all ions.
b. data recording
c. plot of bar graph
6) mass spectrum
M+. is a ___________. Also known as “precursor ion.”
Molecular ion
The 4 purposes of operating Mass Spectrometers at low pressures.
1) Minimize ion/molecule collisions (which could lead to unplanned dissociations or reactions of the ions, or ion path)
2) Prevent electrical arcing at kV potentials needed for some ion focusing
3) Reduce contamination of the ion source and mass analyzers
4) Prevent filament burn-out due to the presence of O2 (equivalent to dissociation)
What is the purpose of the “rough pump” of the mass spectrometers? All mass spectrometers have this.
- Has a motor associated with it. The motor “pushes” the molecules into the hydrocarbon oil.
- Compresses molecules into a chamber of hot hydrocarbon oil
- Molecules are trapped in the oil or pushed out the pump exhaust
- Lowers pressures to about 10^-2 - 10^-3 Torr
- Gas throughput of a few liters/minute ( 0.1L/second)
How does a diffusion pump work?
- In mass spectrometers, jets of heat polyphenyl ether (oil) are propelled inside the pump (bottom to top) at supersonic speed.
- Gas molecules of the sample are diffused into the hot oil, and travel to a cooling chamber. The oil condenses and flows back to the boiler.
- Trapped gases can’t diffuse back to the high vacuum side( against the vapor stream)
- The vapor of the samples gas (that are trapped) get compressed into a roughing pump.
Downsides of Rough Pump
- The rough pump oil has to be treated as hazardous waste.
- The gas has to be exhausted outside the lab.
- Requires hours to heat/cool oil with starting/stopping pumping.