The BrightSpec Advantage
BrightSpec FT-MRR (Fourier Transform-Molecular Rotational Resonance) spectrometers directly identify and quantify polar components in complex chemical mixtures using high resolution spectroscopy, achieving unparalleled molecular specificity without matrix interferences. Molecules are characterized in the isolated gas phase through a characteristic fingerprint spectral pattern that is completely unique to its three-dimensional structure. FT-MRR is a powerful complement to existing techniques for gas, volatiles, and chiral characterization and analysis, greatly shortening method development times and allowing scientists to understand their chemistry more rapidly.
MRR Spectrometers
BrightSpec offers the first commercial, easy-to-use FT-MRR spectrometers for both industrial and academic research applications. Whether your application requires a broad search for unknown compounds, or targeted monitoring of a small set of known components, the flexibility of BrightSpec’s software interface allows you to get the information you need from your sample. As a spectroscopy technique, there are few consumables and few routine maintenance procedures necessary. The operation environment ranges from full-featured R&D method development to push-button operation for technicians. The FT-MRR technique provides faster chemical analysis insights for new product R&D and process development scientists.
What Is MRR?
Molecular rotational resonance (MRR) spectroscopy is a technique for unambiguous identification and quantification in complex mixtures. MRR has been used for decades in the fields of molecular structure analysis and astrochemistry. Physical chemists use the rotational spectrum as the most accurate method to determine the structure and conformations of molecules in the gas phase. Astronomers use MRR to identify molecules in distant star-forming regions using radio telescopes.
BrightSpec uses MRR for analysis of small molecule pharmaceuticals and gaseous impurities. The high resolution and structural specificity give MRR the ability to understand complex systems without the need for chromatographic columns or chemometrics.
MRR is suitable for compounds that
- Have a permanent dipole moment
- Can be volatilized
What Does MRR Offer?
Chiral and structural analysis – MRR resolves diastereomers, enantiomers, and conformers unambiguously in a chemical mixture. The key advantage is the measurement of molecules with multiple chiral centers in dirty mixtures without reference standards.
Chiral pharmaceutical process monitoring – MRR provides an online solution for monitoring chiral purity in continuous pharmaceutical processes.
Mutagenic impurities analysis – MRR identifies and quantifies impurities in one automated measurement.
Residual solvent analysis – MRR can rapidly determine residual solvent content (e.g., USP <467>) of polar solvents, including on temperature sensitive samples.
Trace gas analysis – MRR quantifies trace small polar impurities in industrial gases, air, and other samples.
| Attributes | Capabilities | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Selectivity | Mixtures can be analyzed directly, without chemical separation (chromatography). | MRR is a high-resolution molecular spectroscopy technique. Analysis does not require complex deconvolution or chemometric techniques. |
| Structural Specificity | Diastereomers, conformers, isotopologues, and enantiomers are all distinguishable. | The rotational spectrum of a molecule is unique to the mass distribution. Any change in structure significantly shifts the spectrum. |
| Sensitivity | Typical ppm-to-ppb detection limits. | Low sample consumption. |
| Precision | Quantification and detection of small changes in composition enable online monitoring and method transfer. | Good cross-instrument reproducibility means accurate quantification with minimal to no calibration. |
| Simplicity | Direct, automated sampling and no special training required to operate or interpret results. | All measurement setup and data processing is software-guided. No cryogens or expensive columns to replace. |
| Multi-Species Sensing | One instrument, many molecules. | Spectrometers are software-reprogrammable for new sample matrices. |
| Breadth of Application | Chiral and structural analysis, process monitoring, mutagenic impurities, residual solvents, trace gas impurities. Samples can be gases, liquids, or solids. | MRR is a low pressure gas measurement requiring only vapor pressure in the millitorr range. |