GC/MS of unknown esters for teaching MS fragmentation patterns

The GC/MS method enhances the undergraduate students' ability to interpret MS data while determining the components of a reaction mixture. Students convert an unknown alcohol to an acetate ester and establish its structure from the MS fragmentation data of the ester. The acetate esters are purified by using gas chromatography techniques. The analysis requires matching of the MS fragmentation data with the best molecular structures.