How would #"mass spectroscopy"# differentiate between #"2-pentanone"# and #"3-pentanone"#?

Answer 1

By the fragmentation pattern.

Run a mass spectrum of authentic 2-pentanone under specified conditions, and then authentic 3-pentanone under identical conditions. The two ketones would exhibit different fragmentation patterns in their mass spectra, and they should be distinguishable even though they yield identical molecular ions. As you know, the molecular ions of both 2-pentanone and 3-pentanone have identical mass. They would not have the same fragmentation pattern.

A much better means of analysis would be by #""^1H# #NMR# spectroscopy; here, the spectra could be easily differentiated.

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Answer 2

Henry Antrim

Mass spectroscopy would differentiate between 2-pentanone and 3-pentanone by analyzing the mass-to-charge ratio of the molecular ions formed during ionization. The resulting mass spectra would display distinct peaks corresponding to the different molecular weights of the two compounds, allowing for their identification.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.