CHE 275: Mass Spectrometry and Infrared Spectroscopy Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on mass spectrometry and organic structure determination.

Mass Spectrometry (MS)

A technique that converts molecules to ions and separates them based on their mass/charge (m/z) ratio.

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)

A method used to identify functional groups in organic compounds based on their absorption of infrared light.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

A spectroscopic technique used to determine the C-H framework of organic molecules.

Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV-Vis)

An analytical method to investigate the extended series of pi bonds (conjugation) in molecules.

Parent Ion

Also known as the molecular ion; it is the ion that corresponds to the whole molecule.

Base Peak

The tallest peak in a mass spectrum, representing the most intense signal (100% intensity).

Fragmentation

The process in mass spectrometry where a molecular ion breaks into smaller ions, resulting in a complex mass spectrum.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, affecting their mass and abundance in mass spectra.

Molecular Weight (MW)

The mass of a molecule determined from its molecular ion; crucial for identifying organic compounds.

High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

A technique that provides exact mass measurements with a resolution capable of distinguishing between isotopes.

The Nitrogen Rule

A rule stating that an odd-numbered molecular ion typically indicates the presence of one or three nitrogen atoms.

Aldehydes and Ketones

Carbonyl compounds that undergo fragmentation through alpha cleavage to generate acyl cations.