Mass spectrometry is an instrumental analytical technique to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of one or more molecules present in a sample of interest. It is a powerful analytical tool to quantify unknown materials and identify unknown compounds and structural and chemical properties of different molecules.
Working Principle of Mass Spectrometry Can Be Used to Identify Unknown Compound
Mass spectrometry, with its ability to measure the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) and calculate the exact molecular weight of sample components, is a versatile tool. It identifies unknown compounds through molecular weight determination, quantifies familiar compounds, and determines structure and chemical properties. It essentially studies the effects of ionizing energy on molecules, generating multiple ions from the sample, then separating them according to their specific mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), and noting the related abundance of each type of ion. This versatility makes it an intriguing field of study.
Component of Mass Spectrometry
- Ionization source
- Mass analyzer
- Ion detection system
Here is How Mass Spectrometry Can Be Used to Identify Unknown Compound
- Ionization Source: At first, the molecules are converted to gas-phase ions to move them and are manipulated by external electric and magnetic fields. The molecular ions undergo fermentation, and each primary product derived from the molecular ion also undergoes fermentation.
- Mass Analyzer: After ionizing, the ions are sorted and separated based on mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios and detected proportionally to their abundance.
- Ion Detection System: The separated ions are later measured and out through a data system where the mass-to-charge ratio is stored together with its relative abundance. A mass spectrum of the molecule displays the result in the form of a plot of ion abundance Vs. m/z ratio. The ions offer information about the precursor molecule’s nature and structure. In the mass spectrum, in the case of a pure compound, if a molecule ion is present, it appears at the highest value of m/z, later followed by ions consisting of heavier isotopes, and gives the compound’s molecular mass.
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