r/chemhelp•
Chief_Somar360

In what scenarios does mass spectrometry and elemental analysis fail?

Inorganic

Ive been trying to determine the structure of a complex from its IR, H NMR, elemental analysis, and mass spectrum but im getting conflicting structures (ie. a structure supported by H NMR and IR), but not elemental analysis and MS. Is there a case where mass spectrometry and/or elemental analysis would fail? maybe involving higher nuclearity metal complexes (eg. binuclear)

Posted May 2, 2026, 4:19 AM UTC

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