The McLafferty rearrangement is a reaction observed in
mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that is used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The results are presented as a ''mass spectrum'', a plot of intensity as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio. Mass spectrometry is use ...
during the
fragmentation or dissociation of organic molecules. It is sometimes found that a molecule containing a keto-group undergoes β-cleavage, with the gain of the γ-hydrogen atom, as first reported by Anthony Nicholson working in the Division of Chemical Physics at the
CSIRO
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government
The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentar ...
in Australia. This rearrangement may take place by a radical or ionic mechanism.
The reaction
A description of the reaction was later published by the American chemist
Fred McLafferty
Fred Warren McLafferty (May 11, 1923 − December 26, 2021) was an American chemist known for his work in mass spectrometry. He is best known for the McLafferty rearrangement reaction that was observed with mass spectrometry. With Roland Gohl ...
in 1959 leading to his name being associated with the process.
:
See also
* The Type II
Norrish reaction A Norrish reaction in organic chemistry is a photochemical reaction taking place with ketones and aldehydes. Such reactions are subdivided into Norrish type I reactions and Norrish type II reactions. The reaction is named after Ronald George Wreyfo ...
is the equivalent photochemical process
*
α-cleavage
References
Further reading
*
External links
Fred McLafferty Faculty Webpage at Cornell University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mclafferty Rearrangement
Tandem mass spectrometry
Rearrangement reactions
Name reactions