Organic Compound Analysis Flashcards
What is mass spectrometry?
An analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions
What is m/z?
Mass to charge ratio.
What is a mass spectrometer?
An instrument used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions
What is mass spectrum?
A plot of the mass-to-charge ratio of ion fragments
What is fragmentation in the mass spectrometer?
the dissociation of unstable molecular ions
What is an isotope?
Two or more forms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons
What is the base peak in a mass spectrum?
peak formed from the ion fragment with the greatest relative intensity
What is the molecular ion peak in a mass spectrum?
Peak formed from the ionised un-fragmented form of a molecule
The fragment that appears in a mass spectrum should have what format?
[fragment]+
In an IR spectrum, how do you distinguish between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol?
CA will have a broad O-H (acid) band from 2500 - 3500cm-1
Alcohol will have a strong O-H (alcohol) band from 3200 - 3600cm-1
