Fragmentation pattern refers to the specific way in which a molecule breaks apart into smaller ions or fragments during mass spectrometry analysis, providing a unique fingerprint that can be used to deduce the structure of the original molecule. Understanding these patterns is crucial for identifying unknown compounds and elucidating molecular structures in analytical chemistry.
Fragment ions are the charged pieces formed when a molecule breaks apart in a mass spectrometer, providing structural information about the molecule. Analyzing these ions helps identify the molecular structure and composition by revealing patterns of fragmentation that are characteristic of specific functional groups or molecular backbones.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) is an advanced analytical technique used to identify and quantify compounds by fragmenting ions and analyzing the resulting fragments. It is widely used in proteomics, metabolomics, and drug development due to its high sensitivity and specificity in complex mixtures.