The "nitrogen rule" of mass spectrometry requires a compound containing an odd number of nitrogens to have an odd-mass molecular ion and a compound containing an even number of nitrogens to have an even-mass molecular ion. What is the molecular formula of the CHN-containing compound pyrazine, M+ = 80? (The order of atoms should be carbon, then hydrogen, then others in alphabetical order.)

C₄H₄N₂

Explanation:

Given that:

M+ = 80.

It implies that the number of nitrogen present in the molecule must also be even according to the Nitrogen rule.

So from the Formula CHN, the nitrogen will have to be 2 because if we make use of 4, it will exceed the given M+ which is 80.

∴

C₄ = 4 × 12 = 48

H₄  = 4 × 1   = 4

N₂ =  2 × 14 = 28      

                      80      

As such, the molecular formula of the compound is C₄H₄N₂