Unless otherwise stated, these pages were written by Dr William W. Christie and deal with the application of mass spectrometry with electron-impact ionization to determine the structures of fatty acids in the form of various derivatives.

If you are new to the subject, you may wish to first consult -

• A beginner's guide to mass spectrometry of fatty acids: Part 1
• A beginner's guide to mass spectrometry of fatty acids: Part 2

Further articles on mass spectrometry are available in the Lipidomics and Selected Topics in Analysis sections of this web site. PDF files can be downloaded from a link at the end of documents to give you an instantly accessible or printable record.

William W. Christie

Tutorials on the Interpretation of Mass Spectra of Fatty Acid Derivatives and Related Lipids

• Cyclopropyl/enyl fatty acids
• Cyclic fatty acids with 5/6-memberered rings
• Acetylenic acids. 1. Mono/diynes
• Acetylenic acids. 2. Ene-ynes
• Allenic fatty acids
• Hydroxy fatty acids. 1A. 2- to 9-OH
• Hydroxy fatty acids. 1B. 10- to ω-OH
• Epoxy, furanoid and alkoxy fatty acids
• Oxo (keto) fatty acids
• Thia acids

• Halogenated acids
• Dibasic acids
• Alkyl esters (including wax esters)
• Fatty alcohols. 1. Nicotinates
• Fatty alcohols (including acyl/alkylglycerols). 2. Other derivatives - updated Feb. 27, 2013
• Miscellaneous lipophilic compounds (free acids, acetals, TMS esters, cholesterol, amides, etc)
• Miscellaneous artefacts and additives

• Methyl esters of fatty acids - Archive
• 3-Pyridylcarbinol ('picolinyl') esters - Archive
• DMOX derivatives - Archive

• Pyrrolidine derivatives - Archive
• Miscellaneous fatty acid derivatives, lipids, artefacts, etc - Archive

Bibliography of Mass Spectra: References lists for mass spectrometry of lipids - see our literature survey menu.