Mass spectroscopy

Exercise 3

    

Identify the base peak and the molecular peak of the following mass spectrum. What is the molar mass of the substance?

$\frac{m}{z}$ $=$ $29$ $\Rightarrow $ Base peak $\frac{m}{z}$ $=$ $30$ $\Rightarrow $ Molecular peak $ M$ $=$ $32 \frac{g}{mol}$

What causes the peak $\frac{m}{z}=31$ ?

This peak is probably due to the isotope $^{13}C$ present in the substance.

With $\frac{m}{z}$ $=$ $30$ can this be ethane?

No, the methylium peak at $\frac{m}{z}=15$ is missing!

Identify other fragments!

$\frac{m}{z}$ $=12$ $ \Rightarrow $ $C^+$ $\frac{m}{z}$ $=13$ $ \Rightarrow $ $CH^+$ $\frac{m}{z}$ $=$ $16$ $ \Rightarrow$ $O^+$

Do you see a specific peak?

The base peak $\frac{m}{z}$ $=$ $29$ could be due to the ion $CHO^+$

What substance is this?

Probably methanal $CH_2O$