ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information relevant to organic chemists preparing samples for mass spectrometry analysis or analysing their results. A fundamental aspect of mass spectrometry is the formation of positive or negative ions and the subsequent gas-phase measurement of their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Interpretation of mass spectra depends on the type of mass spectrometer and ionisation technique used. Hard ionisation methods such as EI produce molecular ion fragmentation, which can be used to identify diagnostic fragmentation patterns and functional groups. The chapter provides details of suitable matrices for a range of common MALDI analytes and appropriate solvent systems. Hard ionisation techniques commonly fragment molecular ions, leading to the loss of neutral species and the formation of fragmentation ions. The chapter provides selected isotopes along with their atomic number, atomic weight, monoisotopic mass and relative abundance. Monoisotopic mass refers to the mass of a specific nuclide.
