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Related Concept Videos

Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry01:21

Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry

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The molecular ion peak of a molecule in the mass spectrum provides vital information for molecular identification. However, conventional electron impact ionization can lead to the rapid dissociation of some molecular ions before they reach the detector. A milder ionization method is required to increase the lifetime of such ionized analyte molecules. Chemical ionization (CI) is a gas-phase protonation reaction useful for mass-analyzing analyte molecules that are easily protonated to yield the...
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Mass Spectrometry: Alkyl Halide Fragmentation01:22

Mass Spectrometry: Alkyl Halide Fragmentation

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Chlorine isotopes exist as 35Cl and 37Cl in a 3:1 ratio, while bromine isotopes exist as 79Br and 81Br in a 1:1 ratio. The mass spectrum of alkyl halides typically produces two distinct molecular ion peaks, the molecular ion peak, [M], and the molecular ion plus two, [M + 2] peak. The relative heights of these two peaks are proportional to the isotopic abundance ratios of the halide. For example, 2‐chloropropane and 1‐bromopropane display two peaks with relative peak heights in a 3:1 and...
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Mass Spectrometry of Amines01:19

Mass Spectrometry of Amines

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In mass spectroscopy, amines undergo fragmentation to give parent ions with odd molecule weights. This observed mass spectrum follows the nitrogen rule: a molecule with an odd number of nitrogen atoms produces a parent ion with an odd molecular weight. The remaining fragments have an even mass.
Amines undergo fragmentation through α cleavage, producing nitrogen-containing cations—iminium ions—and alkyl radicals. Mass spectra of aromatic and cyclic aliphatic amines exhibit...
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Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview01:20

Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview

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The ionization of a molecule into a molecular ion inside the mass spectrometer causes instability in the molecule's structure due to the loss of an electron. This eventually leads to the fragmentation or breaking of some bonds in the molecule. The fragmentation occurs predominantly at specific bonds to yield relatively stable fragments.
One type of fragmentation pattern is the cleavage of a single bond in the molecular ion. The cleavage leads to a radical and a cation. The cleavage can...
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Mass Spectrum: Interpretation01:24

Mass Spectrum: Interpretation

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An unknown compound can be established by identifying the molecular ion peak in the mass spectrum. The molecular ion peak is often weak or absent due to the predominance of fragmentation in high-energy electron beams. In such cases, a low-energy electron beam can be used to scan the spectrum to enhance the intensity of the molecular ion peak. Additionally, chemical ionization, field ionization, and desorption ionization spectra are used to obtain a relatively intense molecular ion peak.
To...
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Mass Spectrometry: Carboxylic Acid, Ester, and Amide Fragmentation01:01

Mass Spectrometry: Carboxylic Acid, Ester, and Amide Fragmentation

1.7K
The fragmentation patterns observed for compounds such as carboxylic acids, esters, and amides in the mass spectra include ⍺-cleavage and McLafferty rearrangement. Fragmentation by ⍺-cleavage preferentially occurs at the carbon-carbon bond at the ⍺-position next to the carboxylic group to generate a neutral radical and a cation. Long chain compounds with hydrogen at their γ-carbon undergo McLafferty rearrangement to give a radical cation and a neutral alkene.
For example,...
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Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
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Electron ionization of clusters containing the formamide molecule.

Harvey-Andres Suarez-Moreno1, Lauren Eckermann2,3, Fabio Zappa1

  • 1Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik and Center for Molecular Biosciences, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

The European Physical Journal. D, Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
|November 8, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Electron interactions with formamide (FA) clusters were studied using mass spectrometry. This research clarifies how cluster environments influence electron-induced reactions, crucial for astrophysics and radiobiology.

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Area of Science:

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Chemical Physics
  • Astrochemistry

Background:

  • Formamide (FA) clusters are key model systems for understanding electron interactions.
  • Electron-induced processes in clusters are relevant to astrophysical, prebiotic, and radiobiological phenomena.
  • Bridging the complexity gap between gas-phase and condensed-phase systems is scientifically important.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate electron interactions with bare and microhydrated formamide clusters.
  • To analyze mass spectrometric detection of cationic species formed by electron ionization.
  • To compare cluster spectra with gas-phase spectra and understand environmental effects on reaction channels.

Main Methods:

  • Electron ionization at 70 eV was used to study formamide clusters.
  • Mass spectrometry was employed for the detection of cationic species.
  • Comparative analysis of experimental cluster spectra with existing gas-phase data was performed.

Main Results:

  • Distinct reaction channels were observed in formamide clusters compared to the gas phase.
  • The influence of the cluster environment on electron-induced fragmentation was revealed.
  • Differences in cationic species formation were identified between bare and microhydrated clusters.

Conclusions:

  • The study enhances understanding of low-energy electron phenomena in clusters.
  • Hydration effects on electron-induced processes in formamide clusters were elucidated.
  • Results provide insights into electron-molecule interactions relevant to diverse scientific fields.