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Chapter 14: Problem 16

The base peak in the mass spectrum of propanone (acetone) occurs at \(m / z 43\). What cation does this peak represent?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The cation responsible for the m/z peak at 43 in the mass spectrum of propanone is CH3CO+ (the acylium ion).

Step by step solution

01

Structure of Propanone

First, we need to know the structure of propanone. Propanone, also known as acetone, is an organic compound with the molecular formula C3H6O. Its structural formula can be written as CH3COCH3.
02

Fragmentation of Propanone

When propanone is subjected to mass spectrometry, it undergoes fragmentation to produce different cations. Various bonds within the molecule can be broken during this process, leading to the formation of different cationic species.
03

Possible fragments of Propanone

Some of the possible fragments of propanone are: 1. CH3+ (m/z = 15) 2. CH3CO+ (m/z = 43) 3. CH3CH2+ (m/z = 29)
04

Identify the cation responsible for the m/z peak at 43

We are asked to identify the fragment with an m/z ratio of 43. From the previous step, we found that CH3CO+ has an m/z ratio of 43. Therefore, the cation responsible for the base peak at m/z 43 in the mass spectrum of propanone is CH3CO+ (the acylium ion).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Account for the presence of the following peaks in the mass spectrum of hexanoic acid, \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)_{4} \mathrm{COOH}\). (a) \(m / z 60\) (b) A series of peaks differing by 14 amu at \(m / z 45,59,73\), and 87 (c) A series of peaks differing by 14 amu at \(\mathrm{m} / z 29,43,57\), and 71

A characteristic peak in the mass spectrum of most aldehydes occurs at \(m / z 29\). What cation does this peak represent? (No, it is not an ethyl cation, \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2}{ }^{+}\).)

The molecular ions of both \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{~S}\) and \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14} \mathrm{O}\) appear at \(m / z 102\) in low- resolution mass spectrometry. Show how determination of the correct molecular formula can be made from the appearance and relative intensity of the \(M+2\) peak of each compound.

Draw acceptable Lewis structures for the molecular ion (radical cation) formed from the following molecules when each is bombarded by high-energy electrons in a mass spectrometer. a. b. c. d.

For which compounds containing a heteroatom (an atom other than carbon or hydrogen) does the molecular ion have an even-numbered mass and for which does it have an odd-numbered mass? (a) A chloroalkane with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+1} \mathrm{Cl}\). (b) A bromoalkane with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+1} \mathrm{Br}\). (c) An alcohol with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+1} \mathrm{OH}\). (d) A primary amine with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n-1} \mathrm{NH}_{2}\). (e) A thiol with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{n} \mathrm{H}_{2 n+1} \mathrm{SH}\).
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