Mass Spectrometry IMP

Mass Spectrometry
I. Introduction
A. General overview
1. Mass Spectrometry is the generation, separation and
characterization of gas phase ions according to their
relative mass as a function of charge
2. Previously, the requirement was that the sample be able

to be vaporized (similar limitation to GC), but modern
ionization techniques allow the study of such non-volatile
molecules as proteins and nucleotides
3. The technique is a powerful qualitative and quantitative

tool, routine analyses are performed down to the
femtogram (10-15 g) level and as low as the zeptomole
(10-21 mol) level for proteins.
Mass Spectrometry
II. The Mass Spectrometer

A. General Schematic
1. A mass spectrometer needs to perform three functions:
• Creation of ions – the sample molecules are subjected to a high
energy beam of electrons, converting some of them to ions
• Separation of ions – as they are accelerated in an electric field, the

ions are separated according to mass-to-charge ratio (m/z)
• Detection of ions – as each separated population of ions is

generated, the spectrometer needs to qualify and quantify them
2. The differences in mass spectrometer types are in the different means

to carry out these three functions
3. Common to all is the need for very high vacuum (~ 10-6 torr), while still
allowing the introduction of the sample
Mass Spectrometry
1. A small quantity of sample is injected and vaporized under high vacuum
2. The sample is then bombarded with electrons having 25-80 eV of

energy
3. A valence electron is “punched” off of the molecule, and an ion is

formed
4
Mass Spectrometry
4. Ions (+) are accelerated using a (-) anode towards the focusing magnet
5. At a given potential (1 – 10 kV) each ion will have a kinetic energy:

m = mass of ion
½ mv2 = eV v = velocity
V = potential difference
As the ions enter a magnetic field, their path is curved; the radius of the
curvature is given by: e = charge on ion
r = mv
eH
If the two equations are combined to factor out velocity:

H = strength of magnetic field
m/e = H2r2 r = radius of ion path
2V
Mass Spectrometry

B. Single Focusing Mass Spectrometer
6. At a given potential, only one mass would have the correct radius path
to pass through the magnet towards the detector
7. “Incorrect” mass particles would strike the magnet

Mass Spectrometry
B. Single Focusing Mass Spectrometer

8. By varying the applied potential difference that
accelerates each ion, different masses can be
separated by the focusing magnet
9. The detector is basically a counter, that produces a

current proportional to the number of ions that strike it
10. This data is sent to a computer interface for graphical

analysis of the mass spectrum
Mass Spectrometry
III. The Mass Spectrum

A. Presentation of data
1. The mass spectrum is presented in terms of ion abundance vs. m/e ratio
(mass)
2. The most abundant ion formed in ionization gives rise to the tallest peak
on the mass spectrum – this is the base peak
base peak, m/e 43

Mass Spectrometry

3. All other peak intensities are relative to the base peak as a percentage
4. If a molecule loses only one electron in the ionization process, a

molecular ion is observed that gives its molecular weight – this is
designated as M+ on the spectrum
M+, m/e 114

Mass Spectrometry

5. In most cases, when a molecule loses a valence electron, bonds are
broken, or the ion formed quickly fragment to lower energy ions
6. The masses of charged ions are recorded as fragment ions by the

spectrometer – neutral fragments are not recorded !
fragment ions
Mass Spectrometry

B. Determination of Molecular Mass
1. When a M+ peak is observed it gives the molecular mass – assuming
that every atom is in its most abundant isotopic form
2. Remember that carbon is a mixture of 98.9% 12C (mass 12), 1.1% 13C
(mass 13) and <0.1% 14C (mass 14)
3. We look at a periodic table and see the atomic weight of carbon as

12.011 – an average molecular weight
4. The mass spectrometer, by its very nature would see a peak at mass 12
for atomic carbon and a M + 1 peak at 13 that would be 1.1% as high
- We will discuss the effects of this later…

Mass Spectrometry

5. Some molecules are highly fragile and M+ peaks are not observed –
one method used to confirm the presence of a proper M+ peak is to
lower the ionizing voltage – lower energy ions do not fragment as
readily
6. Three facts must apply for a molecular ion peak:

1) The peak must correspond to the highest mass ion on the
spectrum excluding the isotopic peaks
2) The ion must have an odd number of electrons – usually a

radical cation
3) The ion must be able to form the other fragments on the

spectrum by loss of logical neutral fragments
Mass Spectrometry

5. The Nitrogen Rule is another means of confirming the observance of a
molecular ion peak
6. If a molecule contains an even number of nitrogen atoms (only

“common” organic atom with an odd valence) or no nitrogen atoms the
molecular ion will have an even mass value
7. If a molecule contains an odd number of nitrogen atoms, the molecular

ion will have an odd mass value
8. If the molecule contains chlorine or bromine, each with two common

isotopes, the determination of M+ can be made much easier, or much
more complex as we will see
Molecular Formulas – What can be learned from them
Remember and Review!
The Rule of Thirteen – Molecular Formulas from Molecular Mass
When a molecular mass, M+, is known, a base formula can be

generated from the following equation:
M = n + r
13 13
the base formula being: CnHn + r

Interpretation of E.I. Mass Spectrometric Data
B- Structural informations extracted from the
molecular ion peak (Low resolution analysis)
1-Generate molecular formula tentatively? Example:
Generate base formula by the rule of Thirteen 1 M = 94, molecular formula = ?
When a molecular mass, M+., is known, 94/ 13

a base formula can be generated 7
from the following equation: 13 ) 94
91
M/13 = n + r/13 3
Possible molecular formula = C7H10
M = molecular weight
n = number of C and H atoms
R = reminder Other possible molecular formulas =
C6H6O, C5H2O2, C6H8N, C5H2S,

CnHn+r
CH3Br,
1 = Bright, J. W., and Chen C. M., Journal of Chemical Education, 60 (1983): 557
Mass Spectrometry

High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
1. From tables of combinations of formula masses with the natural
isotopic weights of each element, it is often possible to find an
exact molecular formula from HRMS
Example: HRMS gives you a molecular ion of 98.0372; from mass 98

data:
C3H6N4 98.0594
C4H4NO2 98.0242
C4H6N2O 98.0480
C4H8N3 98.0719
C5H6O2 98.0368  gives us the exact formula
C5H8NO 98.0606
C5H10N2 98.0845
C7H14 98.1096
Mass Spectrometry
IV. The Mass Spectrum and Structural Analysis

A. Inferences from Isotopic Ratios
5. For very large molecules the M+1, M+2, M+3… bands become very
important
Consider this, if the # of carbon atoms in the molecule is over 100 the
chance that there is one 13C is: 100 x 1.08% = 108%!
The M+2, 3, … peaks become even more prominent and molecules that
contain nothing but the most common isotopes become rare!
M+
M+1
Here is the molecular ion
peak(s) for a peptide
M+2 containing 96 carbon
atoms – note that the M+1
M+3 peak is almost as intense
as the M+ peak
Lung Cancer:
Interpretation of E.I.Biological SamplesData
Mass Spectrometric
B- Structural in formations extracted from the

2-Isotopic peaks
What are the isotopic peaks: Isotopic Classification of the Element:
1-Monoisotopic:
Peak (s) generated due to their A or X elements
naturally occurring heavier 19F, 23Na, 31P, 127I
isotopes Others are 27Al, 45Sc, 55Mg, 59Co,
103
Rh, 133Cs
94
2-Di-isotopic element:
M+. a-X+1 Element
12C, 13C; 14N, 15N; 1H, 2H
b-X+2 Element
35Cl, 37Cl; 79Br, 81Br; 63Cu, 65Cu; 69Ga,
71
Ga;
 Ag, 109Ag; 113In, 115In; 121Sb, 123Sb.
107
c-X-1 Elements
6Li, 7Li; 10B, 11B; 50V, 51V
3-Polyisotopic element:
95 M+. + 1
96 M+. + 2
Mass Spectrometry

6. For molecules that contain Cl or Br, the isotopic peaks are diagnostic
a) In both cases the M+2 isotope is prevalent:
 35Cl is 75.77% and 37Cl is 24.23% of naturally occurring chlorine
atoms
 79Br is 50.52% and 81Br is 49.48% of naturally occurring
bromine atoms
b) If a molecule contains a single chlorine atom, the molecular ion

would appear:
M+
relative abundance
The M+2 peak

would be 24% the
M+2 size of the M+
if one Cl is present
m/e
Mass Spectrometry

6. For molecules that contain Cl or Br, the isotopic peaks are diagnostic
c) If a molecule contains a single bromine atom, the molecular ion
would appear:
M+ M+2
relative abundance
The M+2 peak
would be about
the size of the M+
if one Br is present
m/e
d) The effects of multiple Cl and Br atoms is additive – your text has a

complete table of the combinations possible with 1-3 of either atom
7. Sulfur will give a M+2 peak of 4% relative intensity and silicon 3%

B- Structural in formations extracted from the

1-Why M+4 and M+6 peaks are observed? 2-How we can calculate intensity pattern?
Example: Br2 By Binomial expression:

(a + b)n
For Br2 = total number of combinations = a and b = abundance of two isotopes of
22 = 4, n = number of bromine atom attached
Br79, Br79; Br79 Br81 + Br81 Br79; Br81
Br81 n=1 (a + b)1 = a + b
n=2 (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
Total number of possible combinations = n=3 (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab² + b3
An n=4 (a + b)4 = a4 + 4a3b + 6a²b² + 4ab3 + b4
A= number of isotopes considered,
n = number of atoms of present
Pascal intensity
Pattern
(Only for Br)
Calculate number of combinations
For CHBr3
http://www.sisweb.com/mstools/isotope.htm
Mass Spectrometry

B. Inferences from M+ - (A summary before moving on…)
1. Using the the M+ peak, make any inferences about the approximate
formula
– Nitrogen Rule
– Rule of Thirteen
2.Using the M+1 peak (if visible) make some inference as to the number of
carbon atoms (for small molecules this works as H, N and O give very low
contributions to M+1)
3.If M+2 becomes apparent, analyze for the presence of one or more Cl or
Br atoms (sulfur and silicon can also give prominent M+2s)
B- Structural informations extracted from the

Presences of nitrogen or not: (Nitrogen rule)
“A molecule containing an odd number of nitrogens

will have an odd molecular weight, while a compound
containing no nitrogens or an even number of nitrogens
will have an even molecular weight”.
Atoms Valency Atomic Weight
C 4 12
H 1 1
O
Br
2
1
16
79/81 Nitrogen is the only common element
S 2 32
Cl
N
1
3
35/37
14
which has an ODD valency and
an EVEN atomic mass
Word of Caution: Nitrogen Rule will be

“reversed” when you HAVE “protonated
molecualr ion peak” like in case of ESI
Mass Spectrometry

C. Fragmentation - General
1. The collision of a high energy electron with a molecule not only causes
the loss of a valence electron, it imparts some of the kinetic energy of
collision into the remaining ion
2. This energy typically resides in an increased vibrational energy state for

the molecule – this energy may be lost by the molecule breaking into
fragments
3. The time between ionization and detection in most mass spectrometer is

10-5 sec.
– If a particular ionized molecule can “hold together” for greater than
10-5 sec. a M+ ion is observed
– If a particular ionized molecule fragments in less than this time, the

fragments will be observed
Mass Spectrometry

C. Fragmentation - General
4. Due to the low concentration of molecules in the ionization chamber, all
fragmentation processes are unimolecular
5. Fragmentation of a molecule that is missing one electron in most cases

results in a covalent bond breaking homolytically – one fragment is then
missing a full pair of electrons and has a + charge and the other
fragment is a neutral radical
6. Only the + charged ions will be observed; but the loss of a

neutral fragment is inferred by the difference of the M+ and the
m/e of the fragment
7. Fragmentation will follow the trends you have learned in organic

chemistry – fragmentation processes that lead to the most stable cations
and radicals will occur with higher relative abundances
Mass Spectrometry

D. Fragmentation – Chemistry of Ions
1. One bond -cleavages:
a. cleavage of C-C
C C C C
+
b. cleavage of C-heteroatom
C Z C Z
+
Mass Spectrometry

1. One bond -cleavages:
c. -cleavage of C-heteroatom
C C Z C + C Z
C C Z C C + Z
C C Z C + C Z
Mass Spectrometry

2. Two bond -cleavages/rearrangements:
a. Elimination of a vicinal H and heteroatom:
C C Z C C + H Z
H
b. Retro-Diels-Alder
Full mechanism +
Abbreviated:
+
Mass Spectrometry

2. Two bond -cleavages/rearrangements:
c. McLafferty Rearrangement
H H
Full mechanism +
H H
Abbreviated:
+
3. Other types of fragmentation are less common, but in specific cases are
dominant processes
These include: fragmentations from rearrangement, migrations, and

fragmentation of fragments
Mass Spectrometry

4. When deducing any fragmentation scheme:
– The even-odd electron rule applies: “thermodynamics dictates that
even electron ions cannot cleave to a pair of odd electron
fragments”
– Mass losses of 14 are rare
– The order of carbocation/radical stability is

benzyl/3° > allyl/2° > 1° > methyl > H
* the loss of the longest carbon chain is preferred
– Fragment ion stability is more important than fragment radical

stability
– Fragmentation mechanisms should be in accord with the even-odd

electron rule
Mass Spectrometry

E. Fragmentation Patterns of Groups
Aside: Some nomenclature – rather than explicitly writing out single bond
cleavages each time:
CH2 + H2C
CH3
Fragment Neutral fragment
obs. by MS inferred by its loss
– not observed
Is written as:
57
Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
a) Very predictable – apply the lessons of the stability of carbocations
(or radicals) to predict or explain the observation of the fragments
b) Method of fragmentation is single bond cleavage in most cases
c) This is governed by Stevenson’s Rule – the fragment with the

lowest ionization energy will take on the + charge – the other
fragment will still have an unpaired electron
Example: iso-butane
+ CH3
+ CH3
Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Fragment Ions : n-alkanes
• For straight chain alkanes, a M+ is often observed
• Ions observed: clusters of peaks CnH2n+1 apart from the loss of

–CH3, -C2H5, -C3H7, etc.
• Fragments lost: ·CH3, ·C2H5, ·C3H7, etc.
• In longer chains – peaks at 43 and 57 are the most common

Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Example MS: n-alkanes – n-heptane
43
57
M+
Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Fragment Ions : branched alkanes
• Where the possibility of forming 2° and 3° carbocations is high,
the molecule is susceptible to fragmentation
• Whereas in straight chain alkanes, a 1° carbocation is always

formed, its appearance is of lowered intensity with branched
structures
• M+ peaks become weak to non-existent as the size and

branching of the molecule increase
• Peaks at 43 and 57 are the most common as these are the iso-
propyl and tert-butyl cations
Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Example MS: branched alkanes – 2,2-dimethylhexane
57 M+ 114
Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Fragment Ions : cycloalkanes
• Molecular ions strong and commonly observed – cleavage of
the ring still gives same mass value
• A two-bond cleavage to form ethene (C2H4) is common – loss

of 28
H2C CH2
HC C R
+ H2C CH2
H H
C
H2
n
• Side chains are easily fragmented

Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Example MS: cycloalkanes – cyclohexane
M - 28 = 56
M+ 84
Mass Spectrometry

1. Alkanes
Example MS: cycloalkanes – trans-p-menthane
97
M+ 140
Mass Spectrometry

2. Alkenes
a) The -bond of an alkene can absorb substantial energy – molecular
ions are commonly observed
b) After ionization, double bonds can migrate readily – determination

of isomers is often not possible
c) Ions observed: clusters of peaks CnH2n-1 apart from -C3H5, -C4H7,

-C5H9 etc. at 41, 55, 69, etc.
d) Terminal alkenes readily form the allyl carbocation, m/z 41

H2
R C C CH2
H R + H2C C CH2
H
Mass Spectrometry

2. Alkenes
Example MS: alkenes – cis- 2-pentene
55
M+ 70
Mass Spectrometry

E. Fragmentation Patterns of Groups Take home assignment:
2. Alkenes What is M-42 and m/z 42?
Example MS: alkenes –1-hexene
56
41
M+ 84
Mass Spectrometry

E. Fragmentation Patterns of Groups Take home assignment 2:
2. Alkenes What is m/z 42?
Example MS: alkenes –1-pentene
M+ 70
Mass Spectrometry

Comparison: Alkanes vs. alkenes
Octane (75 eV)
M+ 114
m/z 85, 71, 57, 43 (base), 29
Octene (75 eV)

M+ 112 (stronger @ 75eV than octane)
m/z 83, 69, 55, 41, 29
Mass Spectrometry

2. Alkenes
Fragment Ions : cycloalkenes
• Molecular ions strong and commonly observed – cleavage of
the ring still gives same mass value
• Retro-Diels-Alder is significant
observed loss of 28
• Side chains are easily fragmented

Mass Spectrometry

2. Alkenes
Example MS: cycloalkenes –1-methyl-1-cyclohexene
81
68
M+ 96
Mass Spectrometry

3. Alkynes – Fragment Ions
a) The -bond of an alkyne can also absorb substantial energy –
molecular ions are commonly observed
b) For terminal alkynes, the loss of terminal hydrogen is observed (M-

1) – this may occur at such intensity to be the base peak or
eliminate the presence of M+
c) Terminal alkynes form the propargyl cation, m/z 39 (lower intensity

than the allyl cation)
H2
R C C CH R H2C C CH
+
Mass Spectrometry

3. Alkynes
Example MS: alkynes – 1-pentyne
H 67
39
M+ 68
Mass Spectrometry

3. Alkynes
Example MS: alkynes – 2-pentyne
53
M+ 68
Mass Spectrometry

4. Aromatic Hydrocarbons – Fragment Ions
a) Very intense molecular ion peaks and little fragmentation of the
ring system are observed
75 eV e-
b) Where alkyl groups are attached to the ring, a favorable mode of

cleavage is to lose a H-radical to form the C7H7+ ion (m/z 91)
c) This ion is believed to be the tropylium ion; formed from

rearrangement of the benzyl cation
CH3 CH2
Mass Spectrometry

4. Aromatic Hydrocarbons – Fragment Ions
d) If a chain from the aromatic ring is sufficiently long, a McLafferty
rearrangement is possible
e) Substitution patterns for aromatic rings are able to be determined

by MS – with the exception of groups that have other ion chemistry
Mass Spectrometry

4. Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Example MS: aromatic hydrocarbons – p-xylene
m/z 91
CH3 CH3
H3C
M+ 106
Mass Spectrometry

4. Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Example MS: aromatic hydrocarbons – n -butylbenzene
H H
+
92
M+ 134
91
Mass Spectrometry

5. Alcohols– Fragment Ions
a) Additional modes of fragmentation will cause lower M+ than for the
corresponding alkanes
1° and 2° alcohols have a low M+, 3° may be absent
b) The largest alkyl group is usually lost; the mode of cleavage

typically is similar for all alcohols:
m/z
primary OH O H 31
+ H2C
secondary OH +
O H 45
OH + O H 59
tertiary
Mass Spectrometry

c) Dehydration (M - 18) is a common mode of fragmentation –
importance increases with alkyl chain length (>4 carbons)
• 1,2-elimination – occurs from hot surface of ionization chamber
• 1,4-elimination – occurs from ionization
• both modes give M - 18, with the appearance and possible

subsequent fragmentation of the remaining alkene
d) For longer chain alcohols, a McLafferty type rearrangement can

produce water and ethylene (M - 18, M - 28)
H H
R H H R O
O
+
Mass Spectrometry

e) Loss of H is not favored for alkanols (M – 1)
f) Cyclic alcohols fragment by similar pathways

• -cleavage
H OH H OH H OH H OH
H H +
m/z 57
• dehydration
H OH
, + H2O
M - 18
Mass Spectrometry

5. Alcohols
Example MS: alcohols – n -pentanol
H H
OH OH
+
42
-H2O
OH
70
31
M+ 88
Mass Spectrometry

5. Alcohols
Example MS: alcohols – 2-pentanol
OH
45
M+ 88
Mass Spectrometry

5. Alcohols
Example MS: alcohols – 2-methyl-2-pentanol
OH
59
OH
87
M+ 102
Mass Spectrometry

5. Alcohols
Example MS: alcohols – cyclopentanol
H OH H OH
57
M+ 86
Mass Spectrometry

6. Phenols– Fragment Ions
a) Do not fully combine observations for aromatic + alcohol; treat as a
unique group
b) For example, loss of H· is observed (M – 1) – charge can be

delocalized by ring – most important for rings with EDGs
c) Loss of CO (extrusion) is commonly observed (M – 28); Net loss of

the formyl radical (HCO·, M – 29) is also observed from this process
H
O O O
H
H
O
-CO -H
C
Mass Spectrometry

5. Example MS: phenols – phenol
-CO 66
-HCO 65
M+ 94
Mass Spectrometry

An interesting combination of functionalities: benzyl alcohols
Upon ring expansion to tropylium ions, they become phenols!
M+ 108
H H
OH
“tropyliol” - CO
+
79 M – 1, 107
“tropyliol”
HO
+ H2
77
Mass Spectrometry

7. Ethers– Fragment Ions
a) Slightly more intense M+ than for the corresponding alcohols or
alkanes
b) The largest alkyl group is usually lost to -cleavage; the mode of

cleavage typically is similar to alcohols:
H2
R C O R R + H2C O R
c) Cleavage of the C-O bond to give carbocations is observed where

favorable
H
R C O R R CH + O R
R R
Mass Spectrometry

7. Ethers– Fragment Ions
d) Rearrangement can occur of the following type, if -carbon is
branched:
H
H
R C O C CH2 R C O +
H H R
R H
e) Aromatic ethers, similar to phenols can generate the C6H5O+ ion by

loss of the alkyl group rather than H; this can expel CO as in the
phenolic degradation
R
O O
R + C O + C5H5+
Mass Spectrometry

7. Example MS: ethers – butyl methyl ether
45
M+ 88
Mass Spectrometry

E. Fragmentation Patterns of Groups Take home – what is m/z 78?
7. Example MS: ethers – anisole
O
M+ 108
77
M-28 (-CH3, -CO)

65
O
93
Mass Spectrometry

8. Aldehydes - Fragment Ions
a) Weak M+ for aliphatic, strong M+ for aromatic aldehydes
b) -cleavage is characteristic and often diagnostic for aldehydes –

can occur on either side of the carbonyl
O
R H
R C O + H M-1 peak
O
R + H C O m/z 29
R H
c) -cleavage is an additional mode of fragmentation
O
O
m/z R+
R
H
R + M - 41
H can be R-subs.
Mass Spectrometry

8. Aldehydes - Fragment Ions
d) McLafferty rearrangement observed if -Hs present
R H R H
O O m/z 44
+
H
e) Aromatic aldehydes – a-cleavages are more favorable, both to lose

H· (M - O1) and HCO· (M – 29)
H C O + H
O m/z R+
O
H +
Remember:
H aromatic ring can
be subs.
Mass Spectrometry

8. Example MS: aldehydes (aliphatic) – pentanal
m/z 44
H H
O O
O +
C H
H
29
M-1
85
M+ 86
Mass Spectrometry

8. Example MS: aldehydes (aromatic) – m-tolualdehyde
O M-1
119 M+ 120
H
91
Mass Spectrometry

9. Ketones - Fragment Ions
a) Strong M+ for aliphatic and aromatic ketones
b) -cleavage can occur on either side of the carbonyl – the larger

alkyl group is lost more often
O M – 15, 29, 43…

R R1
R C O + R1 m/z 43, 58, 72, etc.
R1 is larger than R
c) -cleavage is not as important of a fragmentation mode for

ketones compared to aldehydes – but sometimes observed
O
R O
R +
R1
R1
Mass Spectrometry

d) McLafferty rearrangement observed if -H’s present – if both alkyl
chains are sufficiently long – both can be observed
R H R H
O O
+
R1 R1
e) Aromatic ketones – -cleavages are favorable primarily to lose R·

(M – 15, 29…) to form the C6H5CO+ ion, which can lose CO
O
R C O + R
m/z 105
Remember:
aromatic ring can
be subs.
+ C O
m/z 77
Mass Spectrometry

f) cyclic ketones degrade in a similar fashion to cycloalkanes and
cycloalkanols:
O O O O
H H +
m/z 55
O O O
m/z 70
- CO
m/z 42
Mass Spectrometry

9. Example MS: ketones (aliphatic) – 2-pentanone
43
H H
O O +
58
M+ 86
M-15
Mass Spectrometry

9. Example MS: ketones (aromatic) – propiophenone
C O
m/z 105
m/z 77
M+ 134
Mass Spectrometry

10. Esters - Fragment Ions
a) M+ weak in most cases, aromatic esters give a stronger peak
b) Most important -cleavage reactions involve loss of the alkoxy-

radical to leave the acylium ion
O
R1 R C O + OR1
R O
c) The other -cleavage (most common with methyl esters, m/z 59)
involves the loss of the alkyl group
O O
R1 R + C O R1
R O
Mass Spectrometry

d) McLafferty occurs with sufficiently long esters
H H
O O
+
R1 R1
O O
e) Ethyl and longer (alkoxy chain) esters can undergo the McLafferty
rearrangement
H H
O O
+
R O R O
Mass Spectrometry

f) The most common fragmentation route is to lose the alkyl group by
-cleavage, to form the C6H5CO+ ion (m/z 105)
O O
R C
O + R
Can lose CO to
give m/z 77
Mass Spectrometry

g) One interesting fragmentation is shared by both benzyloxy esters
and aromatic esters that have an ortho-alkyl group
O
O OH O
benzyloxy ester + C
H CH2
ketene
fragmentation
O
O
R C
ortho-alkylbenzoate ester O R
+ HO
H
C CH2
H2
Mass Spectrometry

10. Example MS: esters (aliphatic) – ethyl butyrate
O
O
O
O
71
29
both McLafferty
O (take home exercise)
O
m/z 88
43
M+ 116
Mass Spectrometry

10. Example MS: esters (aliphatic) – ethyl butyrate
O
O
O
O
71
29
both McLafferty
O (take home exercise)
O
m/z 88
43
M+ 116
Mass Spectrometry

10. Example MS: esters (benzoic) – methyl ortho-toluate
119
O O
91 C
O O
CH2
O
m/z 118 M+ 150
Mass Spectrometry

11. Carboxylic Acids - Fragment Ions
a) As with esters, M+ weak in most cases, aromatic acids give a
stronger peak
b) Most important -cleavage reactions involve loss of the alkoxy-

radical to leave the acylium ion
O
H R C O + OH
R O
c) The other -cleavage (less common) involves the loss of the alkyl
radical. Although less common, the m/z 45 peak is somewhat
diagnostic for acids.
O O
H R + C O H
R O
Mass Spectrometry

d) McLafferty occurs with sufficiently long acids
H H
O O
+ H
H
O O
m/z 60
e) aromatic acids degrade by a process similar to esters, loss of the

HO· gives the acylium ion which can lose CO:
O O
H C
O + H
+ further loss of
CO to m/z 77
Mass Spectrometry

f) As with esters, those benzoic acids with an ortho-alkyl group will
lose water to give a ketene radical cation
O
O
H C
O H
ortho-alkylbenzoic acid + HO
H
C CH2
H2
Mass Spectrometry

11. Example MS: carboxylic acids (aliphatic) – pentanoic acid
H
O OH
OH OH
m/z 60
M+ 102
Mass Spectrometry

11. Example MS: carboxylic acids (aromatic) – p-toluic acid
O OH
M+ 136
OH
119
91
Mass Spectrometry

Summary – Carbonyl Compounds
For carbonyl compounds – there are 4 common modes of fragmentation:
 A1 & A2 -- two -cleavages
O
R G O C G2 + R
O
R C O + G
R G
 B -- -cleavage
O O
R R +
G G
 C – McLafferty Rearrangement
R H R H
O O
+
G G
Mass Spectrometry

Summary – Carbonyl Compounds
In tabular format:
m/z of ion observed
Aldehydes Ketones Esters Acids Amides
Fragmentation Path G=H G=R G = OR’ G = OH G = NH2
A1 -R 29 43b 59b 45 44d
-cleavage
A2 -G 43b 43b 43b 43b 43b
-cleavage
B -G 43a 57b 73b 59a 58a
-cleavage
C 44a 58b,c 74b,c 60a 59a
McLafferty
b
= base, add other mass attached to this chain
a
= base, if -carbon branched, add appropriate mass
c
= sufficiently long structures can undergo on either side of C=O
d
= if N-substituted, add appropriate mass
Mass Spectrometry

12. Amines - Fragment Ions
a) Follow nitrogen rule – odd M+, odd # of nitrogens; nonetheless, M+
weak in aliphatic amines
b) -cleavage reactions are the most important fragmentations for

amines; for 1° n-aliphatic amines m/z 30 is diagnostic
C C
R N R + N
c) McLafferty not often observed with amines, even with sufficiently

long alkyl chains
d) Loss of ammonia (M – 17) is not typically observed

Mass Spectrometry

12. Amines - Fragment Ions
e) Mass spectra of cyclic amines is complex and varies with ring size
f) Aromatic amines have intense M+
g) Loss of a hydrogen atom, followed by the expulsion of HCN is

typical for anilines
NH2 NH H H H
+ H + HCN + H
h) Pyridines have similar stability (strong M+, simple MS) to aromatics,

expulsion of HCN is similar to anilines
Mass Spectrometry

12. Example MS: amines, 1° – pentylamine
NH2
30
M+ 87
Mass Spectrometry

12. Example MS: amines, 2° – dipropylamine
H N
H
N
72
H
M+ 101
Mass Spectrometry

12. Example MS: amines, 3° – tripropylamine
114
M+ 143
Mass Spectrometry

13. Amides - Fragment Ions
a) Follow nitrogen rule – odd M+, odd # of nitrogens; observable M+
b) -cleavage reactions afford a specific fragment of m/z 44 for

primary amides
O
C R +
R NH2 O C NH2
m/z 44
c) McLafferty observed where -hydrogens are present
H H
O O
+
NH2 NH2
Mass Spectrometry

13. Example MS: amides – butyramide
O
C
NH2
44 H
O
NH2
59
M+ 87
Mass Spectrometry

13. Example MS: amides (aromatic) – benzamide
O NH2
C
77
M+ 121
O NH2
C
105
Mass Spectrometry

14. Nitriles - Fragment Ions
a) Follow nitrogen rule – odd M+, odd # of nitrogens; weak M+
b) Principle degradation is the loss of an H-atom (M – 1) from -

carbon:
H2
R C C N H + R C C N
H
c) Loss of HCN observed (M – 27)
d) McLafferty observed where -hydrogens are present

H H
N N
C +
C
H2C
m/z 41
e) Aromatic nitriles give a strong M+ as the strongest peak, loss of

HCN is common (m/z 76) as opposed to loss of CN (m/z 77)
Mass Spectrometry

14. Example MS: nitriles – propionitrile
M-1 54
- HCN
M+ 55
Mass Spectrometry

14. Example MS: nitriles – valeronitrile (pentanenitrile)
N
C
H
N 43
C
H2C
m/z 41 N
54 C
M+ 83
Mass Spectrometry

15. Nitro - Fragment Ions
a) Follow nitrogen rule – odd M+, odd # of nitrogens; M+ almost never
observed, unless aromatic
b) Principle degradation is loss of NO+ (m/z 30) and NO2+ (m/z 46)
O O
R N R + N
O O
m/z 46
O O
R N R N R O N O R O + N O
O O m/z 30
Mass Spectrometry

15. Nitro - Fragment Ions
c) Aromatic nitro groups show these peaks as well as the fragments of
the loss of all or parts of the nitro group
NO2 O
+ NO + CO
m/z 93 m/z 65
NO2
+ NO2 C4H3 + HC CH
m/z 77 m/z 51
Mass Spectrometry

15. Example MS: nitro – 1-nitropropane
NO2
43
NO+ 30 NO2+ 46 M+ 89
Mass Spectrometry

15. Example MS: nitro (aromatic) – p-nitrotoluene
NO2
91 M+ 137
C5H5+
O
m/z 107
Mass Spectrometry

16. Halogens - Fragment Ions
a) Halogenated compounds often give good M+
b) Fluoro- and iodo-compounds do not have appreciable contribution

from isotopes
c) Chloro- and bromo-compounds are unique in that they will show

strong M+2 peaks for the contribution of higher isotopes
d) For chlorinated compounds, the ratio of M+ to M+2 is about 3:1
e) For brominated compounds, the ratio of M+ to M+2 is 1:1
f) An appreciable M+4, 6, … peak is indicative of a combination of

these two halogens – use appropriate guide to discern number of
each
Mass Spectrometry

g) Principle fragmentation mode is to lose halogen atom, leaving a
carbocation – the intensity of the peak will increase with cation
stability
R X R + X
h) Leaving group ability contributes to the loss of halogen most

strongly for -I and -Br less so for -Cl, and least for –F
i) Loss of HX is the second most common mode of fragmentation –

here the conjugate basicity of the halogen contributes (HF > HCl >
HBr > HI) H H
R C C X R C CH2 + H X
H H H
Mass Spectrometry

j) Less often, -cleavage will occur:
H
R C X R + H2C X
H
k) For longer chain halides, the expulsion of a > carbon chain as the
radical is observed
R
X X
+ R
l) Aromatic halides give stronger M+, and typically lose the halogen
atom to form C6H5+
Mass Spectrometry

16. Example MS: chlorine – 1-chloropropane
Cl
43
M+2
H2C Cl
m/z 49, 51 M+ 78
Mass Spectrometry

16. Example MS: chlorine – p-chlorotoluene
Cl
91
M+ 126
M+2
Mass Spectrometry

16. Example MS: bromine – 1-bromobutane
Br
57
M+2
M+ 136
H2C Br
Mass Spectrometry

16. Example MS: bromine – p-bromotoluene
Br
91
M+2
M+ 170
Mass Spectrometry

16. Example MS: multiple bromines – 3,4-dibromotoluene
Br
M+2
Br Br
Br 169,
90 171 M+4
M+ 248
Mass Spectrometry

16. Example MS: iodine – iodobenzene
M+ 204
77
Mass Spectrometry

F. Approach to analyzing a mass spectrum
1. As with IR, get a general feel for the spectrum before you analyze
anything – is it simple, complex, groups of peaks, etc.
2. Squeeze everything you can out of the M+ peak that you can (once you
have confirmed it is the M+)
– Strong or Weak?
– Isotopes? M+1? M+2, 4, …
– Apply the Nitrogen rule
– Apply the Rule of Thirteen to generate possible formulas (you can
quickly dispose of possibilities based on the absence of isotopic
peaks or the inference of the nitrogen rule)
– Use the HDI from the Rule of Thirteen to further reduce the
possibilities
– Is there an M-1 peak?
Mass Spectrometry

F. Approach to analyzing a mass spectrum
3. Squeeze everything you can out of the base peak
– What ions could give this peak? (m/z 43 doesn’t help much)
– What was lost from M+ to give this peak?
– When considering the base peak initially, only think of the most
common cleavages for each group
4. Look for the loss of small neutral molecules from M+

– H2C=CH2, HCCH, H2O, HOR, HCN, HX
5. Now consider the possible diagnostic peaks on the spectrum (e.g.: 29,
30, 31, 45, 59, 77, 91, 105 etc.)
6. Lastly, once you have a hypothetical molecule that explains the data,
see if you can verify it by use of other less intense peaks on the
spectrum – not 100% necessary (or accurate) but if this step works it
can add to the confidence level

Mass Spectrometry IMP

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Mass Spectrometry

2. Previously, the requirement was that the sample be able

3. The technique is a powerful qualitative and quantitative

II. The Mass Spectrometer

• Separation of ions – as they are accelerated in an electric field, the

• Detection of ions – as each separated population of ions is

2. The differences in mass spectrometer types are in the different means

II. The Mass Spectrometer

1. A small quantity of sample is injected and vaporized under high vacuum

2. The sample is then bombarded with electrons having 25-80 eV of

3. A valence electron is “punched” off of the molecule, and an ion is

II. The Mass Spectrometer

5. At a given potential (1 – 10 kV) each ion will have a kinetic energy:

If the two equations are combined to factor out velocity:

II. The Mass Spectrometer

7. “Incorrect” mass particles would strike the magnet

II. The Mass Spectrometer

B. Single Focusing Mass Spectrometer

9. The detector is basically a counter, that produces a

10. This data is sent to a computer interface for graphical

III. The Mass Spectrum

base peak, m/e 43

III. The Mass Spectrum

4. If a molecule loses only one electron in the ionization process, a

M+, m/e 114

III. The Mass Spectrum

6. The masses of charged ions are recorded as fragment ions by the

III. The Mass Spectrum

3. We look at a periodic table and see the atomic weight of carbon as

- We will discuss the effects of this later…

III. The Mass Spectrum

6. Three facts must apply for a molecular ion peak:

2) The ion must have an odd number of electrons – usually a

3) The ion must be able to form the other fragments on the

III. The Mass Spectrum

6. If a molecule contains an even number of nitrogen atoms (only

7. If a molecule contains an odd number of nitrogen atoms, the molecular

8. If the molecule contains chlorine or bromine, each with two common

Remember and Review!

The Rule of Thirteen – Molecular Formulas from Molecular Mass

When a molecular mass, M+, is known, a base formula can be

the base formula being: CnHn + r

1-Generate molecular formula tentatively? Example:

Generate base formula by the rule of Thirteen 1 M = 94, molecular formula = ?

When a molecular mass, M+., is known, 94/ 13

C6H6O, C5H2O2, C6H8N, C5H2S,

III. The Mass Spectrum

Example: HRMS gives you a molecular ion of 98.0372; from mass 98

IV. The Mass Spectrum and Structural Analysis

B- Structural in formations extracted from the

IV. The Mass Spectrum and Structural Analysis

b) If a molecule contains a single chlorine atom, the molecular ion

The M+2 peak

IV. The Mass Spectrum and Structural Analysis

d) The effects of multiple Cl and Br atoms is additive – your text has a

7. Sulfur will give a M+2 peak of 4% relative intensity and silicon 3%

B- Structural in formations extracted from the

Example: Br2 By Binomial expression:

IV. The Mass Spectrum and Structural Analysis

B- Structural informations extracted from the

Presences of nitrogen or not: (Nitrogen rule)

“A molecule containing an odd number of nitrogens

Atoms Valency Atomic Weight