The modern mass spectrometer—a complete chemical laboratory

Abstract Using nitrobenzene as an example, various ways in which a contemporary mass spectrometer can be utilized to yield a wealth of information about the compound studied are reviewed. Applying a variety of different techniques and procedures, in addition to the conventional low resolution mass spectrum, the following nitrobenzene spectra have been obtained: collision induced dissociation mass spectrum, mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, collision induced dissociation mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, spectra obtained at constant B / E , spectra obtained at constant B 2 /E , high voltage scans of metastable ion fragmentation processes, consecutive fragmentations in different field free regions, charge exchange mass spectra, charge stripping mass spectra, doubly charged ion mass spectra, chemical ionization mass spectra, negative ion mass spectra, negative ion mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra, negative ion mass analysed ion kinetic energy collision induced dissociation spectra, charge inversion spectra, etc. The complementary types of information available from the above studies are discussed to show the unique versatility of mass spectrometry as a technique for the examination of organic compounds.