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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/C010973/1
Title: A High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Facillity for Leeds Chemistry
Principal Investigator: Warriner, Dr SL
Other Investigators:
Kocienski, Professor P
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Chemistry
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 12 December 2005 Ends: 11 December 2008 Value (£): 479,950
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Analytical Science Chemical Biology
Medical science & disease
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We request finance for 2 new mass spectrometers to support research within the School of Chemistry at Leeds. Mass Spectrometers enable us to 'weigh' molecules and the molecular weight information can be used to help determine the molecular structure of compounds that are synthesised during our research. The instruments work by first ionising the molecules to be analysed. In this process the molecules are converted to charged ions in the gas phase. The ions then fly down a tube which is under high vacuum to a detector. The larger the mass of ion the longer it takes to fly down the tube and so the 'time-of-flight' can be converted into a molecular weight. We need two instruments because the conditions required to ionise small molecules are different from those needed to ionise larger species. Small molecules are best ionised by bombarding them with electrons but under these conditions larger molecules fall apart. Some molecules are so fragile that even more specialist techniques are required. The instruments we have requested are also very accurate and enable us to perform what is known as high resolution mass spectrometry. NH3 and OH at first glance have the same molecular weight:-17 , however if they are calculated more accurately then the masses are actually different: NH3 has a mass of 17.0265 and OH 17.0027. The difference comes from the fact that a proton and a neutron have slightly different masses. The accuracy of the instruments we have requested enables the difference between such similar species to be observed and hence for us to have more confidence that we have worked out the correct structure for the molecules we are preparing.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk