Exact Mass Determination

Exact mass determination quantifies molecular mass to multiple decimal places enabling chemical formula calculation and purity confirmation. High-resolution mass spectrometry instruments including Orbitrap and time-of-flight analysers achieve <5 parts per million mass accuracy. Monoisotopic mass calculation determines mass of lightest isotopic composition. Theoretical formula generation from exact mass predictions molecular structures.

Pharmaceutical applications include drug identity verification and metabolite characterisation. Mass spectrometry databases containing exact masses enable rapid compound identification. Regulatory submissions employ exact mass data supporting structure elucidation. Impurity characterisation through exact mass determination identifies contaminant composition. Emerging portable mass spectrometry instruments enable field-based exact mass determination.