COURSE OVERVIEW
Who is this course for?
Users of GC-MS equipment, or anyone interested in structural elucidation by GC-MS.
Previous Knowledge
A good working knowledge of the technique is required. A basic knowledge of organic chemistry is advantageous but not essential.
What you will learn
- How to optimise instrument and method parameters to obtain high-quality spectral data
- Ionisation and fragmentation mechanisms in GC-MS
- The logical evolution of an ‘Interpretation Toolkit & with a multitude of practice spectra with worked solution on which to practise new skills
- The fundamental spectral interpretation toolkit, and how to use it when confronted with the mass spectrum of an unknown
COURSE OUTLINE
Basic Chemistry
- Review of the chemistry of ions, electrons and radicals and isotopes vital to understanding of molecular fragmentation and ionisation
- The principles of isotopic normalisation
Principles of ionisation
- Techniques and impact on ionisation and fragmentation of Electron Impact (EI) and Chemically Induced (CI) ionisation mechanisms
Fragmentation Mechanisms
- Homo and heterolytic fission
- Alpha cleavage
- Inductive cleavage
- McLafferty rearrangement and ortho effects
- Retro Diels-Alder reactions
Interpretation Rules
- General appearance
- Isotopic abundances
- Isotopic normalisation
- Common ion series
- Rings and double bonds
- The nitrogen rule
- Logical (illogical) neutral molecular losses
- Logical (illogical) neutral fragment losses
- Ion stability
Interpretation Practice
- At all points during the course, practice spectra are given to highlight and allow the student to learn the principles under investigation
- The course ends with practice exercises on several spectra to confirm overall understanding