Selector for structural isomers of neutral molecules

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Apr 4;100(13):133003. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.133003. Epub 2008 Apr 2.

Abstract

We have selected and spatially separated the two conformers of 3-aminophenol (C(6)H(7)NO) present in a molecular beam. Analogous to the separation of ions based on their mass-to-charge ratios in a quadrupole mass filter, the neutral conformers are separated based on their different mass-to-dipole-moment ratios in an ac electric quadrupole selector. For a given ac frequency, the individual conformers experience different focusing forces, resulting in different transmissions through the selector. These experiments demonstrate that conformer-selected samples of large molecules can be prepared, offering new possibilities for the study of gas-phase biomolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminophenols / chemistry*
  • Biopolymers / chemistry
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Gases
  • Ions
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods

Substances

  • Aminophenols
  • Biopolymers
  • Gases
  • Ions
  • 3-aminophenol