Textbook Question
The IR and mass spectra for three different compounds are shown below. Identify each compound.
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15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect
Mass Spectrometry
Multiple Choice
In mass spectrometry, -cleavage is most commonly observed in molecules containing which of the following features?
A
Aromatic rings without any substituents
B
Only carbon-carbon single bonds
C
A heteroatom such as , , or
D
Long unbranched alkyl chains
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that α-cleavage in mass spectrometry refers to the breaking of a bond adjacent (alpha position) to a particular atom or functional group in a molecule.
Recognize that α-cleavage is most commonly observed when there is a heteroatom (such as oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur) present in the molecule, because these atoms have lone pairs and different electronegativities that influence bond cleavage patterns.
Recall that aromatic rings without substituents and molecules with only carbon-carbon single bonds typically do not show prominent α-cleavage because there is no heteroatom to stabilize the resulting fragments.
Note that long unbranched alkyl chains mainly undergo other fragmentation patterns like simple bond cleavage rather than α-cleavage.
Conclude that the presence of a heteroatom such as O, N, or S is the key feature that facilitates α-cleavage in mass spectrometry.
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