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The mass spectrum of benzoic acid will generate the fragment as a base peak (100% relative abundance) of m/z (mass to charge ratio) at ____ (correct to integer number). 
Correct answer is '77 to 77'. Can you explain this answer?
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The mass spectrum of benzoic acid will generate the fragment as a base...
Explanation:

The mass spectrum of a compound provides information about its molecular weight and the fragments it produces when ionized. In the case of benzoic acid, the base peak in its mass spectrum is observed at m/z 77.

Mass Spectrum of Benzoic Acid:

- The molecular weight of benzoic acid is 122.12 g/mol.
- In the mass spectrum, the molecular ion peak corresponding to the intact molecule is typically observed at the highest m/z value.
- Benzoic acid can lose a neutral water molecule (H₂O) to form a fragment with m/z 105.
- Another common fragment is the loss of a carbon monoxide molecule (CO) to form a fragment with m/z 91.
- However, the most abundant fragment, which is observed as the base peak, is formed by the loss of a methyl group (CH₃) to give a fragment with m/z 77.

Reason for Base Peak at m/z 77:

- The base peak in the mass spectrum represents the most stable fragment ion, which is formed with the highest relative abundance.
- In the case of benzoic acid, the loss of a methyl group (CH₃) generates a resonance-stabilized phenoxide ion.
- The resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion makes it highly stable and likely to be formed during the ionization process.
- Due to its stability, the phenoxide ion is observed as the base peak in the mass spectrum of benzoic acid, with a relative abundance of 100%.

Therefore, the correct answer is '77 to 77', indicating that the base peak in the mass spectrum of benzoic acid is observed at m/z 77 with 100% relative abundance.
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The mass spectrum of benzoic acid will generate the fragment as a base peak (100% relative abundance) of m/z (mass to charge ratio) at ____ (correct to integer number).Correct answer is '77 to 77'. Can you explain this answer?
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