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AgC2H is explosive. Synthesis of an organic cmpd in presence of Ag salts leaves a residue whose mass spectrum shows an ion with m/e=132.9 but no other ions between m/e=130-135. Ag has 2 isotopes Ag-107 (52% abundance) and Ag-109 (48% abundance). Should the chemist be concerned the residue may be explosive?
Question Date: 2009-09-06
Answer 1:

Because of its unstable nature, one would not expect AgCCH to give a peak in a mass spectrum. Only its decomposition products would likely show up (what kind of MS was used?). Also, one would expect two peaks, one for each isotope of Ag, not a combination peak.


Answer 2:

I would say no, this is not AgC2H (mass 132.9 for Ag-107)if it were you would see the mass for the other isotope (Ag-109) at 134.9. This must be another byproduct of the reaction.

Cheers,


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