Deanielle Mae O.

Tapales
CHEM-205

MASS SPECTROMETRY EXAM

1. Given the diagram below, identify the components of a mass
spectrometer.

Sample Ion Mass Data

Analyzer Detector
Inlet Source System

2. Differentiate briefly between a chemical ionization from electron

ionization.
Chemical ionization is called soft-ionization method. The
sample is introduced in a chamber field with an excess reagent
gas. It produces less amount of fragmentation and the signal gives
an intense molecular ionization which makes it easier to identify
the fragmented molecular compounds than electron ionization.
Electron ionization, on the other hand, is call hard-ionization
method. The vaporized sample is passed in a beam of electrons
which strips the electrons and makes it a positively charged
radical species. This unstable molecular ion will produce
fragments. Its fragmentation is larger than chemical ionization.

3. What is the principle behind mass spectrometry? What is its uses?

Electrons are removed from the analyte compound by the

bombardment of the beam of electrons. These positively charged
molecular ions will create fragments due to the high potential
difference. It is separated through mass-to-charge ratio and is
recorded through relative abundance.
 The use of mass spectrometry is identifying unknown
compounds using the molecular weight because it gives off the
exact molecular weight. It is also used to quantify known
compounds and to determine the chemical properties and
structure of molecules.

4. Differentiate between

a. fast atom bombardment (FAB) and matrix-assisted laser

desorption ionization (MALDI) desorption ionization techniques

FAB technique generates ion by sputtering a sample. It

utilizes a stream of inert gas atoms. Ionization happens by
charge transfer between sample and ion or by protonation of
the matrix material. The destructive nature of this ionization
technique makes it possible to do depth profiling of solids.
While, MALDI desorption ionization generates ion by
ablation from surface using pulsed laser and improved by
addition of a matrix co-crystallized with the sample. As the
sample is irradiated, a plume of desorbed molecules is
generated.

b. Quadruple mass analyzer from time of flight mass analyzer

In a quadruple mass analyzer, ions are passed through four
parallel rods with a varying voltage and radiofrequency
potential. With the changing field, the ions respond by
undergoing complex trajectories. Ions that are stable will pass
through the analyzer. The other unstable ions will be lost by
collision with the rods.
 The time of flight mass analyzer will measure the required
time for an ion to travel to a known distance. A pulse of ions
that have the identical kinetic energies is accelerated through
the electric analyzer. The velocity is dependent to its mass.

5. Differentiate a molecular ion peak from a base peak from a mass

spectrum of specific substance.

Molecular ion peak is representing the molecular ion with

the highest mass-to-charge ratio. While, the base peak is the
most intense peak in the spectrum. It is due to the on with
the greatest relative abundance.