Chapter 21, Problem 21.7P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Use of spiking in the qualitative analysis has to be given. Also, the reason behind the requirement of different columns to identity a certain compound has to be given.

Concept Introduction:

Detector such as transmission quadrupole spectrometer attached in gas chromatographic column identifies the ion fragments, scans them on basis of their mass by charge ratio. Output of this generates a mass spectrum that provides quantitative information about the analyte. This way, it records the spectrum for each component as they elute.

Peak that is most abundant with intensity as $100\text{ \%}$ appears usually at the end. This is identified as a molecular ion peak. Other fragments can be obtained by loss of small alkyl groups, or water molecules, or by rearrangement. Fragmentation yields the most stable carbocation or more stable radical possible. Such data is useful to predict the identity of the sample,