McLafferty rearrangement

Definition

The McLafferty rearrangement is a reaction observed in mass spectrometry where a molecule undergoes fragmentation, transferring a hydrogen atom to form a double bond, resulting in a neutral and an ionized fragment. This process aids in identifying the structure of organic compounds by analyzing the resulting mass spectrum.

Related terms

Mass Spectrometry: A technique used for determining the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, helpful in identifying chemical substances through their mass spectra.

Fragmentation: In mass spectrometry, it's the process where ions break apart into smaller pieces, providing vital information about the structure of the molecule.

Ionization: The process by which atoms or molecules are converted into ions, typically by removing one or more electrons