Gas Phase Ion Chemistry

Abstract

The mass spectrometer can be regarded as a kind of chemistry laboratory, especially designed to study ions in the gas phase. [1,2] In addition to the task it is usually employed for — creation of mass spectra for a generally analytical purpose — it allows for the examination of fragmentation pathways of selected ions, for the study of ion-neutral reactions and more. Understanding these fundamentals is prerequisite for the proper application of mass spectrometry with all technical facets available, and for the successful interpretation of mass spectra because “Analytical chemistry is the application of physical chemistry to the real world.” [3]