Mass Spectrometry as an Instructional Tool in the Under- graduate Laboratories

最近，西佛罗里达大学化学系获得了一种气相色谱仪/质谱仪（GC/MS），它正在六个本科课程和指导学生的研究中得到应用。该系统的应用大大提高了各专业的基础有机化学课程，以及化学和相关健康科学专业的高级有机化学课程。学生能够收集和评估第一手数据，例如：(1)通过检查形成的分子离子分离和识别卤代烃，(2)通过检查碎片离子区分异构体，如对羟基苯甲酸甲酯和对甲氧基苯甲酸，(3)制备和分析挥发性有机金属，(4)评估有机污染物的供水。

A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), which has recently been acquired by the Chemistry Department of the University of West Florida is finding application in six undergraduate courses and in directed student research. Courses in basic organic chemistry, with a variety of majors, and advanced organic chemistry, with chemistry and allied health science majors are significantly enhanced by the availability of this system. Students are enabled to collect and evaluate firsthand data as, for example, (1) separating and identifying halocarbons by examining the molecular ions formed, (2) differentiating between isomers such as methyl p-hydroxybenzoate and p-methoxybenzoic acid by examining the fragmentation ions, (3) preparing and analyzing volatile organometallics, and (4) evaluating water supplies for organic contaminants.