Fragmentation reaction

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004640",
  "term": "Fragmentation reaction",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A unimolecular dissociation process where a molecule breaks into two or more smaller fragments, often initiated by electron impact or photoionization. This reaction is a fundamental process in mass spectrometry, where it provides structural information about the analyte. The resulting fragment ions are detected and analyzed based on their mass-to-charge ratio.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "acceleration",
    "decomposition",
    "fragmentation",
    "mass spectrum",
    "metastable ion"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1991, 63, 1541. 'Recommendations for nomenclature and symbolism for mass spectroscopy (including an appendix of terms used in vacuum technology). (Recommendations 1991)' on page 1557 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199163101541)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/fragmentation-reaction/"
}