mass spec is done too, yay

[baratron]

My mass spectrometry coursework is done and handed in - and it wasn't even late!! I'm pretty confident that 80-90% of it is correct, because I figured out what I thought the spectrum should be, then looked it up in the online databases for mass spec. Only one spectrum was different in the database, and I'm pretty convinced that 2-methylpropane is the right answer because there simply isn't any other compound it should be - if it was straight-chain butane (or indeed just about any other alkane) there'd be a peak at m/z 29, and there isn't - only at m/z 15, 43 and 58. There are only two hydrocarbons with a mass of 58!

Now I "just" have to get the organometallic chemistry coursework done for tomorrow. There are pencil scribblings all over the sheet of questions, which means I've done about 2/3 of it. I don't really understand most of it, but I can play pattern match-up along the lines of "ooh, this equation has tin in it, so it must be the Stille reaction". Will hand in as much as I can make up answers for and go and see Howard the wuzzie to get him to explain it further.

I am really looking forward to SLEEP this weekend. Richard, on the other hand, has paintball training all weekend, so will not be able to catch up on sleep. Hmm.

Comments

[nitoda]

We're busy removing physical stock from our library at work again - all part of the plan to actually stay in work by becoming more of a virtual library, sadly - and I thought of you when deleting the record for this book. Let me know if you would like it. Kaye & Laby Tables of physical and chemical constants. 16th ed. It *is* available free online at http://www.kayelaby.npl.co.uk/ but sometimes it is good to have a physical book and if it would be of any use to you I will endeavour to get it to you ASAP.

[baratron.livejournal.com]

If the other option is that it will be thrown away or put in paper recycling, I'll gladly take it off your hands! Richard & I need to come round to see you soon anyway. He's busy all this weekend, but maybe we could make plans for next Sunday?

[nitoda]

Next Sunday is fine by me and David - Marjorie won't be back until late so you might miss her (she's off to a rowing competition somewhere). Probably best to get on with it and take a "two out of three ain't bad" attitude! :-)