Mass spectral interpretation

"Molecular ion" redirects here. For the general concept, see Polyatomic ion.
Electron ionization mass spectrum of the steroid alcohol brassicasterol

Mass spectral interpretation is the method employed to identify the chemical formula, characteristic fragment patterns and possible fragment ions from the mass spectra.[1][2] Mass spectra is a plot of relative abundance against mass-to-charge ratio. It is commonly used for the identification of organic compounds from electron ionization mass spectrometry.[3][4] Organic chemists obtain mass spectra of chemical compounds as part of structure elucidation and the analysis is part of many organic chemistry curricula.

  1. ^ Terrence A. Lee (4 February 1998). A Beginner's Guide to Mass Spectral Interpretation. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-97629-5.
  2. ^ Fred W. McLafferty (1 January 1993). Interpretation of Mass Spectra. University Science Books. ISBN 978-0-935702-25-5.
  3. ^ Spectrometric identification of organic compounds Silverstein, Bassler, Morrill 4th Ed.
  4. ^ Organic spectroscopy William Kemp 2nd Ed. ISBN 0-333-42171-X