CHEMISTRY GUIDE

Topic 2.11 ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Infra-red Spectroscopy HIGH RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY The technique of mass spectrometry was used in Unit 1 to: a)       determine the relative abundances of different isotopes in a sample of an element and hence to deduce relative atomic masses b)       identify the peak with the largest m/z ratio in a spectrum of a molecule and hence determine the rmm of the molecule On closer inspection of the molecular ion peak, it is actually possible to reveal more information than just the relative molecular mass. If the mass spectrum is examined under high resolution, the complete molecular formula can be deduced. Eg        If an organic molecule is found to have a molecular ion peak of 58 in a mass spectrometer, it could be eithe...