Cation radical

Definition

A cation radical is a molecule that has lost an electron, resulting in a positively charged species with an unpaired electron. It is often formed during the ionization process in mass spectrometry, specifically within the context of analyzing small molecules using magnetic-sector instruments.

Related terms

Ionization: The process by which an atom or molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing electrons, often used in mass spectrometry to analyze molecular structures.

Mass Spectrometry: An analytical technique used for determining the elemental composition of a sample or molecule, including its structure and chemical properties, by ionizing chemical compounds to generate charged molecules or molecule fragments and measuring their mass-to-charge ratios.

Magnetic: Sector Instruments - Devices used in mass spectrometry that separate ions with different mass-to-charge ratios by passing them through a magnetic field, allowing for precise measurements of molecular masses and structural analysis