Nitrogen rule

Definition

The Nitrogen Rule in organic chemistry is a guideline stating that organic compounds with an odd number of nitrogen atoms will have an odd molecular mass. This rule is useful for determining the possible presence of nitrogen in a compound based on its molecular ion peak in mass spectrometry.

Related terms

Amines: Organic compounds that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair, often acting as bases or nucleophiles.

Mass Spectrometry: An analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, allowing for the determination of molecular masses and structural information of compounds.

Molecular Ion Peak: The peak observed in a mass spectrum representing the molecule's intact ionized form, typically used to determine the molecular weight of the compound