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Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrometry: Long-Chain Alkane Fragmentation01:18

Mass Spectrometry: Long-Chain Alkane Fragmentation

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The molecular ions of linear alkanes prefer to fragment at the carbon-carbon bond away from the end of the chain since the cleavage of an inner bond creates a stable carbocation and a stable radical. Consequently, the mass signals of linear alkanes feature intense peaks in the middle of the mass-to-charge ratio plot with weaker peaks on either end. The fragmentation of each carbon-carbon bond with the release of a methyl group in each splitting leads to prominent peaks in the mass spectra...
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Mass Spectrometry: Branched Alkane Fragmentation01:29

Mass Spectrometry: Branched Alkane Fragmentation

1.8K
This lesson delves into the mass spectrometry of branched alkane fragmentation. Branched alkanes possess secondary or tertiary carbon atoms, which generate relatively stable carbocations if the cleavage occurs at the branching point. The high stability of carbocations drives the instant fragmentation of branched alkanes. Accordingly, the branched alkane's molecular ion peak is very weak or invisible in the mass spectra, especially in comparison to a linear alkane.
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Combustion Energy: A Measure of Stability in Alkanes and Cycloalkanes02:14

Combustion Energy: A Measure of Stability in Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

8.1K
The low reactivity in alkanes can be attributed to the non-polar nature of C–C and C–H σ bonds. Alkanes, therefore, were  initially termed as “paraffins,” derived from the Latin words: parum, meaning “too little,” and affinis, meaning “affinity.”
Alkanes undergo combustion in the presence of excess oxygen and high-temperature conditions to give carbon dioxide and water. A combustion reaction is the energy source in natural gas, liquified...
8.1K
Organic Compounds03:02

Organic Compounds

58.0K
All living things are formed mostly of carbon compounds called organic compounds. The category of organic compounds includes both natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon. Although a single, precise definition has yet to be identified by the chemistry community, most agree that a defining trait of organic molecules is the presence of carbon as the principal element, bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. However, some carbon-containing compounds such as carbonates, cyanides, and...
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Flame Photometry: Lab01:16

Flame Photometry: Lab

1.0K
In a flame photometer, when a solution like potassium chloride is aspirated into the flame, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind dehydrated salt. This salt dissociates into free gaseous atoms in their ground state. Some of these atoms absorb energy from the flame, leading to their excitation. The excited atoms return to the ground state, emitting photons at characteristic wavelengths. Because only electronic transitions are involved, the resulting emission lines are very narrow. The intensity...
1.0K
Mass Spectrometry: Aldehyde and Ketone Fragmentation01:09

Mass Spectrometry: Aldehyde and Ketone Fragmentation

5.1K
In mass spectrometry, the fragmentation of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones generally occurs through three key mechanisms: α-cleavage, inductive cleavage, and the McLafferty rearrangement.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Nitrogen Compound Characterization in Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography
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Nitrogen Compound Characterization in Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography

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Using Alkylate Components for Classifying Gasoline in Fire Debris Samples.

Leo J C Peschier1, Michiel M P Grutters1, Jeanet N Hendrikse1

  • 1Netherlands Forensic Institute, P.O. Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|May 31, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

High-octane blending components like alkylate can reliably identify gasoline in fire debris. Routine GC-MS methods detect alkylate, strengthening forensic analysis of ignitable liquid residues.

Keywords:
alkylateclassificationfire debris analysisforensic sciencegas chromatography-mass spectrometrygasolineignitable liquids

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Combustion Chemistry of Fuels: Quantitative Speciation Data Obtained from an Atmospheric High-temperature Flow Reactor with Coupled Molecular-beam Mass Spectrometer
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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Gasoline is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, distinguished by high-octane blending components.
  • Identifying gasoline in fire debris is crucial for arson investigations.
  • Current methods may lack specificity, necessitating improved detection strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of alkylate, a high-octane blending component, as a characteristic marker for gasoline detection.
  • To develop and validate methods for identifying alkylate in fire debris samples.
  • To enhance the reliability of gasoline identification in forensic analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Devised specific detection features for alkylate.
  • Analyzed a large collection of gasoline samples from Dutch petrol stations.
  • Utilized routine Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

Main Results:

  • Alkylate was detected in the vast majority of analyzed gasoline samples.
  • Alkylate was successfully identified in fire debris samples containing gasoline traces.
  • The presence of alkylate provides a robust indicator for gasoline.

Conclusions:

  • Alkylate serves as a reliable characteristic feature for the detection and identification of gasoline.
  • Routine GC-MS analysis can effectively detect alkylate in fire debris.
  • Detecting alkylate strengthens the foundation for forensic gasoline identification.