Principal ion
From Mass Spec Terms
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Orange Book Entry
This is defined as a {{Molecular Ion|molecular]] or fragment ion which is made up of the most abundant isotopes of each of its atomic constituents. In the case of compounds that have been artificially enriched in one or more positions such as CH3 13CH3 or CH2D2 the principal ion may be defined by treating the heavy isotopes as new atomic species. Thus in the two above example the principal ions would be of masses 13 and 18, respectively.
