The Student Room Group

Ozone layer

When O2 molecules are broken down by UV radiation to make 2O.
Shouldn't the oxygen atoms actually be radicals?

+ Any tips on how to work out the structure of a molecule from a mass spectrum? (I always get the atoms of the molecules in the wrong order when I work it out :/)

Thanks a bunch!
Original post by shohaib712
When O2 molecules are broken down by UV radiation to make 2O.
Shouldn't the oxygen atoms actually be radicals?

+ Any tips on how to work out the structure of a molecule from a mass spectrum? (I always get the atoms of the molecules in the wrong order when I work it out :/)

Thanks a bunch!


Yes, oxygen atoms are diradicals (as is the oxygen molecule)

MS - highest m/z trace = the relative molecular mass
Look at the difference in m/z between this and the next highest mass to get clues as to the particles produced by the fragmentation.
Common m/z differences:
15 = CH3
17 = OH
29 = C2H5 or CHO
45 = COOH
Original post by charco
Yes, oxygen atoms are diradicals (as is the oxygen molecule)

MS - highest m/z trace = the relative molecular mass
Look at the difference in m/z between this and the next highest mass to get clues as to the particles produced by the fragmentation.
Common m/z differences:
15 = CH3
17 = OH
29 = C2H5 or CHO
45 = COOH


Thank you!
Can you add the dot to show that the oxygen is a radical (both my textbook and the spec dont include it)

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