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ACD/Labs Blog

Arvin Moser
In light of the posting by Oliver Fiehn’s group (http://fiehnlab.ucdavis.edu/projects/Seven_Golden_Rules/Ring-Double-Bonds/), I’ve decided to blog some compounds I’ve encountered in the lab. Using the 2nd formula from the previous blog (http://acdlabs.typepad.com/elucidation/2008/03/rings-double-bo.html), for some cases the RDBE calculation will work if the correct atom valence is known. Note: the nitrochloroform compound can be drawn more than one...

Arvin Moser
Rings plus Double Bonds Equivalent (RDBE) (also known as the degree/element of unsaturation or index of hydrogen deficiency) can be determined from a Molecular Formula (MF). The calculation provides insight into the number of rings and/or double bonds and/or triple bonds to expect from an unknown structure. RDBE = (# of C) + 1 –...

Arvin Moser
Without any structural information, we can estimate an upper limit on the number of carbons using the m/z for the molecular ion. For the molecular ion at m/z 386.4 Da (shown in the mass spectrum below), the upper limit on the number of carbons is calculated at 386.4 / 12 = 32.2. Rounding down, we...

Arvin Moser
MS data collected off an instrument is presented as either profile or centroid mode. Shown below are two mass spectra illustrating an ion cluster for profile data and a centroid mass spectrum created from the profile data. In profile mode, a peak is represented by a collection of signals over several scans. The advantage of...

Arvin Moser
On an MS dataset, the x-axis is a measure of the mass to charge (m/z) ratio. Although it is easy to classify a signal as belonging to a singly charged ion (+1 or -1), one needs to be capable of recognizing a multiply charged (+2, -2, +3, etc.) ion as not to misinterpret the MS...

Arvin Moser
As would-be elucidators dive into an elucidation for an organic unknown, narrowing down a single molecular formula (MF) becomes vital in simplifying the elucidation. However, one hurdle quickly leads into another. As the total atom count adds up, the number of possible isomers increases just as much (See Table and Graph below). I can’t imagine...

ACDLabs
Let me begin by stating my experiences with elucidations on organic molecules. I have led over 60 training sessions attended by chemists and Spectroscopists from Academia to industry around the world. Some more successful than others—this came down to expertise of the attendee. I have also conversed with dozens of chemists/Spectroscopists, experts and non-experts, at...