A Computer Interfaced, Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for Studies of Rapid, Gas-Phase Reactions.

A gas-phase reactor, consisting of a reaction tube with nine gas reagent injection jets placed axially along its length, has been connected to the ion source of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Provision has been made for purifying, and mixing several gases and exciting this mixture by microwave discharge prior to entry into the reaction tube. The mass spectrometer has been interfaced to a dedicated mini-computer system which is capable of simultaneous monitoring of five different masses and on-line control of the setting of one of these mass values. Performance of the system is illustrated by observation of the titration of active nitrogen with nitric oxide.