Nitrogen rule

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007965",
  "term": "Nitrogen rule",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A principle in mass spectrometry stating that a molecule containing an odd number of nitrogen atoms will have an odd nominal mass, while a molecule with an even number of nitrogen atoms (or no nitrogen) will have an even nominal mass. This rule is useful for quickly determining the presence and number of nitrogen atoms in an unknown compound based on its mass spectrum. It applies to compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, and halogens.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2013, 85, 1515. 'Definitions of terms relating to mass spectrometry (IUPAC Recommendations 2013)' on page 1572 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/nitrogen-rule/"
}