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Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy

Base Peak

The most intense peak in a mass spectrum, assigned an arbitrary relative abundance of 100%.

Unit Dimensionless

In depth

The base peak corresponds to the most stable or most readily formed fragment ion, so its identity is itself a structural clue. It is not necessarily the molecular ion, and in heavily fragmenting molecules it is usually a small, highly stabilised fragment.

Examples in the real world

Ethanol's base peak at m/z 31 from the resonance-stabilised CH₂=OH⁺ ion.