Chem Factsheet

Number 55

www.curriculumpress.co.uk

Organic Analysis II- Mass Spectroscopy

Mass spectrometer traces (Fig 2) are used to identify atomic masses of any
isotopes present and to provide the information to calculate relative atomic
mass.

Before reading through this Factsheet you should:

Have a good understanding of Atomic Structure (Factsheet 01);
Have a basic understanding of the way in which a mass spectrometer
works;
Have a good knowledge of the Organic Chemistry covered at AS and
A2 level;
Understand covalent bonding and molecular structure (Factsheets 05
and 06).

Note the axis labels:

Relative abundance
Mass/Charge ratio (or m/e)
The relative abundance is self explanatory the more common a particular
mass of particle, the higher the peak. Usually the highest peak (base
peak) is given a value of 100, with the other peaks scaled accordingly.

After working through this Factsheet you will be able to:

Interpret simple mass spectra;
Recognise mass spectra as useful tools in organic analysis.

An understanding of the mass/charge ratio is important. After electron

bombardment, the majority of the ions formed have a +1 charge as just one
electron is removed.

Before we discuss the role of mass spectra in organic analysis, candidates

should remind themselves of the simplified appearance of a mass
spectrometer (as shown below) and how the machine works.

If the ion has a +1 charge then the mass/charge ratio is the

same as the mass.
e.g.

Fig 1. Mass Spectrometer

+

3.

2.

5.

To
vacuum pump

e.g.

23

Na2+ m/e = 23/2 = 11.5

However, it is worth reinforcing that the vast majority of ions formed

have a +1 charge.

Mass Spectra in Organic Analysis.

Mass spectra, like infrared spectra (Factsheet 54 Organic analysis I- Infrared
Spectroscopy), are a useful tool in identifying organic molecules. The aim
of this Factsheet is to give candidates the necessary experience in interpreting
mass spectra to be able to extract the relevant information from them. This
information is likely to be used in conjunction with other data to identify
chemicals. In exam questions the mass spectrum of an unknown organic
compound is often supplied with the IR spectrum and results from chemical
tests. The skill of the analytical chemist is to piece together all of the
information.

4.

vaporisation
ionisation
acceleration
(by electric field)
deflection
(by magnetic field)
detection

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1.
2.
3.

Na+ m/e = 23/1 = 23

If a higher number of electrons are removed from a species, a different

peak will be generated on the spectrum.

1.

23

5.
5

The five stages listed on the above diagram are discussed in more detail in
Factsheet 01 Atomic Structure.

Exam Hint: Candidates should be aware that exam questions at A2

level may test knowledge and understanding of how mass spectra are
generated.
Examples of mass spectra observed at AS level will include those of
simple elements.

Fig 2. Mass spectrometer traces

Sodium

Iron

100

100

Relative Abundance / %

Relative Abundance / %

(91.68%)

(100 %)
sodium (Na)

80
60
40
20

50

(2.17%)

(5.84%)

0
0

10

20

30

40

Mass / Charge Ratio

70

80

20

30

40

50

(0.31%)
60

Mass / Charge Ratio

70

80

Chem Factsheet

55 - Organic Analysis II- Mass Spectroscopy

When an organic compound is placed into the mass spectrometer for
analysis, the initial reaction is for an electron to be removed ionisation.
M

electron bombardment

There will be a variety of fragments formed from an organic compound, as

each molecule can be fragmented in a variety of ways.
e.g. Some possible fragments of methane, CH4

M+ + e-

Fragment

M+ can be described as the molecular ion or the parent ion.

It is rare that the molecular ion is undetectable on a mass spectrum.

relative abundance /%

15

14

CH+

13

CH2
C

12

H+

Some fragments will be more stable and therefore more likely to occur than
others, hence different heights of relative abundance peaks are observed.

[43] CH3CH3CH2+

100

16

CH3+

CH4

Exam Hint: - When a candidate is presented with a mass spectrum,

the first task should be to locate the peak associated with the molecular
ion. This will be the peak of significant relative abundance which has
the largest mass/charge ratio. From this the relative molecular mass
of the compound can be deduced.

m/e

By assigning fragments to peaks on a spectrum, valuable information about

the structure of a molecule can be gained.
The assigning of peaks can be something of a numbers game using relative
atomic masses, but bearing in mind that mass spectra are usually supplied
with other analysis data this is not a difficult task.

50

[29] CH3CH2+

The following data may be useful when assigning fragments to peaks on a

mass spectrum; these are examples of commonly occurring fragments:

Fragment

parent ion [58]

[15] CH3+

CH 3
0

10

20

30

50

40

60

The RMM of the compound is 58

relative abundance /%
100

[55] CH2CCH2CH3+
[69] CH2C(CH2CH3)CH2+

[41] CCH2CH3+

[29] CH3CH2+
50

m/e
15

CH3CH2+ or CHO+
CH 2NH2 +

29
30

CH 2OH +
CH3CO+ or CH3CHCH3+ or CH3CH2CH2+

31
43

CONH2 +
COOH+ or CH3CHOH+

44
45

C 6H5+
C 6H5 CH2+

77
91

C6H 5CO+

105

The reason that these fragments are more common is that they are relatively
stable. This is well illustrated if we look at the mass spectrum and structure
of benzenecarboxylic acid:
O

[84] parent ion

C
O
relative abundance /%
100

0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

C6H5CO+ [105] [122] parent ion

[77] C6H5+

The RMM of the compound is 84

Candidates should be aware that there is the possibility of small, low
relative abundance peaks further up the spectrum than the peak for the
molecular ion. These peaks are due to the occasional presence of heavy
isotopes of elements (e.g. 14C, 18O, 2H) which can occur in organic molecules.
These peaks can be ignored.

50

When an organic compound is ionised by electron bombardment in the

mass spectrometer, not all of the molecular ions survive. Often the molecular
ions are broken up into smaller pieces by a process called fragmentation.

0
20

+
3

e.g. CH3CH

electron bombardment

+
3

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

CH
+
CH3
fragment ion
radical by-product

Note the large peaks at 77 (C6H5+) and 105 (C6H5CO+). The benzene ring
is especially stable due to the delocalised system of electrons, so it is
unlikely to be fragmented. Consequently, if an analytical chemist observes
a peak at 77, the presence of a benzene ring is strongly suggested.

The fragment ions are detected and are responsible for all of the other
peaks on a mass spectrum.

Chem Factsheet

55 - Organic Analysis II- Mass Spectroscopy

For the worked examples and questions in this Factsheet, use the following
data to help you.
Fragment
CH3 +

Worked Example
The following are mass spectra of simple alcohols.

m/e
15

CH3CH2+ or CHO+
CH2 NH2+

29
30

CH2OH +
CH3CO+ or CH3CHCH3+ or CH3CH2CH2+

31
43

CONH2+
COOH+ or CH3CHOH+

44
45

C 6H 5 +
C 6H5 CH2+

77
91

C6H5CO +

105

relative abundance /%
100

Spectrum A

[31] CH 2OH+

50

[60] parent ion

0
10

Worked Example

20

30

40

50

60

relative abundance /%

The following mass spectrum is of a hydrocarbon which does not react

with bromine water.

70

80

Spectrum B
[45] CH3CHOH+

100

relative abundance /%

50

[60] parent ion

0
10

20

30

50

60

70

80

m/e
29

43

57

71

85

114

It can be seen from the spectra that both alcohols have relative molecular
masses of 60 (they are isomers).

The first task is to use the molecular ion peak to give the relative
molecular mass, 114.
The fact that the compound is a hydrocarbon which does not react
with bromine water suggests an alkane.
Alkanes general formula is CnH2n+2, where the atomic masses are
C=12 and H=1.
Hence suggested formula for the compound is: C8H18

The formulae of the molecular ions can then be suggested. Knowing

that we are dealing with alcohols, the following elements will be present:
Element
C
H
O

The fragment peaks can be assigned as follows:

Atomic Mass
12
1
16

Fragment

m/e

C 2H 5 +

29

Knowledge of the general formula of the homologous series (CnH2n+1OH),

chemistry common sense and being aware that the RMM is 60 suggests
that the formula of each molecular ion will be: C3H8O+, as

43

(312) + (81) + (116) = 60.

C 4H 9 +

57

71

By now looking at fragments within each spectrum, some structural

information can also be gained:

C 6H 13+

85

C 3H 7

C 5H 11

In spectrum A the base peak is at m/e = 31. This could be due to the
presence of the CH2OH+ fragment. This fragment can only come from a
primary alcohol:

Note that suggesting a name for the compound is not straightforward, as

it would be difficult to tell whether this is the mass spectrum of octane or
an isomer, for example 3,4-dimethylhexane.

.
e.g. R-CH2-OH fragmenting to give R and CH2OH+.

In spectrum B the base peak is at m/e = 45. This could be due to the
presence of the CH3CHOH+ fragment. This fragment can only come
from a secondary alcohol:

Every species detected by a mass spectrometer is a positive ion.

Ensure that you always remember to include the + charge when writing
the formula of a molecular ion or fragment.

.
e.g. CH3-CHOH-R fragmenting to give R and CH3CHOH+.

These deductions are correct, as spectrum A is that of propan-1-ol

(CH3CH2OH) and spectrum B is that of propan-2-ol (CH3CHOHCH3).

Chem Factsheet

55 - Organic Anaylysis II- Mass Spectroscopy

Practice Questions

Answers

1. The mass spectrum of a liquid is given. The liquid is known to be an

aromatic ketone with percentage composition C 80%, H 6.7%, O 13.3%.

1. (a) 120
(b) C 8H 8 O
(c) Use information given from fragment peaks, e.g. peak at 77 suggests
presence of benzene ring, peak at 43 could be due to CH3CO+.

relative abundance /%

CH 3
C
O
Suggested formula (with RMM=120):
(d)
+
C

C6H5CO+

or
O

43 51

77

105

m/e

120

2. (a) C4H4O
(b) C8H8O2 (as RMM = 136, deduced from spectra).
(c)
m/e
Fragment formula
136
C 8H 8O 2 +
105
C 7H 5O +
91
C 7H7+
77
C 6H5+

(a) Use the mass spectrum to determine the relative molecular mass of
the compound.
(b) Combine this information with the percentage composition to
deduce the molecular formula.
(c) Suggest a structure for the molecule.
(d) What fragment is responsible for the peak at m/e 105?
2. Two organic compounds, A and B are isomers with percentage
composition C 70.5%, H 5.9%, O 23.6%.
A is moderately soluble in water, forming a solution of pH 5.
B is a pleasant smelling liquid.

(d)
O
CH 2

C
OH

(a) What is the empirical formula of A and B?

O

mass spectrum of compound A

100
90

138

CH 3

relative abundance

80
70
60
50

65

40
30

39
45 51

20
10
0

77

28
20

40

60

80

100

120

140

m/e

mass spectrum of compound B

relative abundance

100
90

105

80
70

77

60
50

28

40
30
20
10
0

136

51
32
39
20

40

60

80

100

120

140 m/e

Acknowledgements: This Factsheet was researched and written by Kieron

Heath. Curriculum Press, Unit 305B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham,
B18 6NF. ChemistryFactsheets may be copied free of charge by teaching staff
or students, provided that their school is a registered subscriber. No part of
these Factsheets may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
in any other form or by any other means, without the prior permission of the
publisher. ISSN 1351-5136

(b) What is the molecular formula of A and B?

(c) Give the formulae of the molecular fragments corresponding to the
following peaks: m/e: 136; 105; 91; 77.
(d) Suggest structural formulae for A and B.