Chemistry - Organic Chemistry - Advanced - Mass spectrometry - Interpreting Mass Spectra

4-step interpretation guide. Step 1: 'MOLECULAR ION (M⁺): The highest m/z peak (ignoring isotope peaks) gives the molecular mass. Even mass → probably no nitrogen (or even number of N). Odd mass → odd number of nitrogen atoms (nitrogen rule). M⁺ may be weak or absent for some compounds (alcohols, br