Chemistry 4631 Instrumental Analysis Lecture 36 Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
Mass Spectrum
The pattern of ion intensities is characteristic
(fingerprint) of the original molecule.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
Atomic Masses and Isotopes
Atomic masses on the periodic table represent an
average for all the naturally occurring isotopes.
For example chlorine is a mixture of:35Cl - 75.77% and 37Cl - 24.23%
For MS the most abundant isotope is set to 100%
and all other isotopes are normalized relative to
the most abundant.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
Isotope Classes
The A, A+1, and A+2 represent the types of
isotopes present.
A - only a single isotope, i.e. F
A+1 - two isotopes, i.e. C and N
A+2 - at least two isotopes with the highest mass
isotope being +2 from the lowest mass
isotope, i.e. O, S, Cl, Br.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
Looking at other A+1 abundances, notice that
nitrogen has a very small number, that is why we
use the nitrogen rule.
For some A+2 elements, O also has a very small
abundance, but sulfur is easier to see.
Cl and Br are A+2 elements and have relatively high
abundances for the isotopes. So it is important to
look at the patterns to identify Cl and Br
containing compounds.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS InterpretationLogical Losses - radical losses
Table of common neutral fragments
Chem 4631
1 H 19 F31
OCH3/CH2OH
15 CH3 26 CN 35 Cl
16 NH2 27 C2H3
43
OC2H5/COOH
17 OH 29 C2H5/CHO 46 NO2
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS InterpretationLogical Losses - radical losses
Table of neutral losses – not as common
Chem 4631
2 H2 27 HCN 36 HCl
17 NH2
28
CO/C2H2
44 CO2
18 H2O 30 CH2O 74 C3H6O2
20 HF 34 H2S 80 HBr
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
Structural Interpretation
Rings Plus Double Bonds Rule
Knowing the number of rings (R) and double bonds (DB) in an ion can help to determine the structure.
The R+DB value can be calculated as follows:
R + DB = C – (H + X)/2 + N/2 + 1 (round down)
Where C, H, X, and N stand for the number of carbons, hydrogen, halogen, and nitrogen atoms in the ion.
Si is treated as a carbon and P as nitrogen. Neither oxygen or sulfur are considered in the
calculation.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
Structural Interpretation
Rings Plus Double Bonds Rule
Examples:
Ion Formula Calculation
CH3COCH2+ R+DB = 3 – (5+0)/2 + 0/2 + 1 = 1.5
= 1
C5H4NCl+ R+DB = 5 – (4-1)/2 + ½ + 1 = 4
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
Structural Interpretation
Nitrogen Rule
Molecules that contain an odd number of nitrogen
atoms have an odd nominal mass.
Molecules with no nitrogen atoms or an even
number of nitrogen have an even nominal mass.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
1. Assume that we are working with good spectrum.
2. Evaluate the General appearance of spectrum Consider:
-degree of fragmentation
-presence of clusters
-general shape
-odd or even major lines
3. Find the molecular ion
The molecular ion must be:
-the highest mass ion - exclusive of isotope related ions
-an odd electron ion
-consistent with the rest of the spectrum.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
Chem 4631
For the following spectral data:
m/e Abundance m/e abundance
26 3472 41 14044
27 20593 42 7575
28 48287 43 27536
29 79823 44 31440
39 14675 45 1026
Which line would be the molecular ion?
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
The molecular ion would be at 44.
4. Determine the elemental composition
Next step is to normalize the data. The standard spectra are normalized to the largest (base peak) which may not be the molecular ion.
Steps to normalize data:-select the potential molecular ion-normalize the lines setting the molecular ion to 100.-construct a normalization table
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
-put the masses and abundances in the first two
columns
-calculate the normalization factor (NF), where
NF = 100/rel. abund. of A
-calculate the normalized abundances for the
isotope lines
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
If have 2 carbons, assume for each carbon A+1 = 2x1.1 = 2.2 and so on. (from previous table)
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
The mass of the parent ion 44 - 3 carbons
= 36 leaves a remaining mass of 8. Since 8
is small, the potential formula may be C3H8
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
MS Interpretation
Example:
m/z Rel. Abundance57 100.0084 0.1085 0.4086 15.5187 1.00
86 appears to be the parent ion.
Chem 4631
Mass Spectroscopy (MS)
Chem 4631
R + DB = C – (H + X)/2 + N/2 + 1 (round down)
Where C, H, X, and N stand for the number of carbons, hydrogen, halogen, and nitrogen atoms in the ion. Si is treated as a carbon and P as nitrogen. Neither oxygen or sulfur are considered in the calculation.