Topic 7 – Modern Analytical Techniques I
In order to develop their practical skills, students should be encouraged to carry out a range of practical experiments related to this topic. Hands-on
practical work is limited in this topic, although many universities allow students to visit and learn about instrumentation first hand. Mathematical
skills that could be developed in this topic include analysing fragmentation patterns in mass spectra. Within this topic, students can consider how
different instrumental methods can provide evidence for analysis. They can see how accurate and sensitive methods of analysis can be applied to the
study of chemical changes, but also to detect drugs such as in blood or urine testing in sport.
Topic 7A: Low-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
1. be able to use data from a mass spectrometer to:
i determine the relative molecular mass of an organic compound from the molecular ion peak
ii suggest possible structures of a simple organic compound from the m/z of the molecular ion and
fragmentation patterns
Give the species responsible for each peak shown in the below graph.
29 – CH3CH2+
43 – CH3CH2CH2+
57 – CH3CH2CH2CH2+
72 – CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3+
Topic 7B: Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy
2. be able to use data from infrared spectra to deduce functional groups present in organic compounds and
to predict infrared absorptions, given wavenumber data, due to familiar functional groups, including:
i C–H stretching absorption in alkanes, alkenes and aldehydes
ii C=C
stretching
absorption in
alkenes
In order to develop their practical skills, students should be encouraged to carry out a range of practical experiments related to this topic. Hands-on
practical work is limited in this topic, although many universities allow students to visit and learn about instrumentation first hand. Mathematical
skills that could be developed in this topic include analysing fragmentation patterns in mass spectra. Within this topic, students can consider how
different instrumental methods can provide evidence for analysis. They can see how accurate and sensitive methods of analysis can be applied to the
study of chemical changes, but also to detect drugs such as in blood or urine testing in sport.
Topic 7A: Low-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
1. be able to use data from a mass spectrometer to:
i determine the relative molecular mass of an organic compound from the molecular ion peak
ii suggest possible structures of a simple organic compound from the m/z of the molecular ion and
fragmentation patterns
Give the species responsible for each peak shown in the below graph.
29 – CH3CH2+
43 – CH3CH2CH2+
57 – CH3CH2CH2CH2+
72 – CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3+
Topic 7B: Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy
2. be able to use data from infrared spectra to deduce functional groups present in organic compounds and
to predict infrared absorptions, given wavenumber data, due to familiar functional groups, including:
i C–H stretching absorption in alkanes, alkenes and aldehydes
ii C=C
stretching
absorption in
alkenes
