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M + 2 Peak (CIE A Level Chemistry)

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Francesca

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Detecting Bromine & Chlorine Atoms Using M+2 Peak

  • The presence of bromine or chlorine atoms in a compound gives rise to a [M+2] and possibly [M+4] peak

Chlorine

  • Chlorine exists as two isotopes, 35Cl and 37Cl
  • A compound containing one chlorine atom will therefore have two molecular ion peaks due to the two different isotopes it can contain
    • 35Cl = M+ peak
    • 37Cl = [M+2] peak
    • The ratio of the peak heights is 3:1 (as the relative abundance of 35Cl is 3x greater than that of 37Cl)

  • A compound containing two chlorine atoms will have three molecular ion peaks due to the different combinations of chlorine isotopes they can contain
    • 35Cl + 35Cl = M+ peak
    • 35Cl + 37Cl = [M+2] peak
    • 37Cl + 37Cl = [M+4] peak
    • The ratio of the peak heights is 9:6:1

Analytical Techniques Mass Spectrum Chlorine, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Mass spectrum of compounds containing one chlorine atom (1) and two chlorine atoms (2)

Bromine

  • Bromine too exists as two isotopes, 79Br and 81Br
  • A compound containing one bromine atom will have two molecular ion peaks
    • 79Br = M+  peak
    • 81Br = [M+2] peak
    • The ratio of the peak heights is 1:1 (they are of similar heights as their relative abundance is the same!)

  • A compound containing two bromine atoms will have three molecular ion peaks
    • 79Br + 79Br= M+ peak
    • 79Br+ 81Br = [M+2] peak
    • 81Br + 81Br= [M+4] peak
    • The ratio of the peak heights is 1:2:1

Analytical Techniques Mass Spectrum Bromine, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Mass spectrum of compounds containing one bromine atom

Worked example: Analysing bromine spectra

Analytical Techniques Worked example - Analysing bromine spectra, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Analytical Techniques Question Worked example - Analysing bromine spectra, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Answer

The correct answer is D

Bromine is a diatomic molecule there will be 5 peaks on the mass spectrum of bromine

Bromine consists of molecules, not individual atoms

When bromine is passed through the mass spectrometer, an electron is given off to give the molecular ion, Br2+

Some of these will fragment to make Br + Br+

    • Br2+ → Br + Br+

The Br atom passes through the machine, and the Br+ ions will give lines at 79 and 81

There will also be a line for the unfragmented Br2+ ion

This will give 3 molecular ion peaks

    • Br2+ ion containing the isotopes 79 + 79 = 158
    • Br2+ containing the isotopes 79 + 81 = 160
    • Br2+ containing the isotopes 81 + 81 = 162

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Francesca

Author: Francesca

Expertise: Head of Science

Fran studied for a BSc in Chemistry with Forensic Science, and since graduating taught A level Chemistry in the UK for over 11 years. She studied for an MBA in Senior Leadership, and has held a number of roles during her time in Education, including Head of Chemistry, Head of Science and most recently as an Assistant Headteacher. In this role, she used her passion for education to drive improvement and success for staff and students across a number of subjects in addition to Science, supporting them to achieve their full potential. Fran has co-written Science textbooks, delivered CPD for teachers, and worked as an examiner for a number of UK exam boards.