Real-time vs. Single-point Measurements

It is necessary to distinguish between two modes of recording temporal information in TRMS  

Single-point measurements provide spectral snapshots of the investigated systems at selected time points. If the system is dynamic or unstable, it may require quenching before introduction to the ion source. In this case, the time of quenching rather than measurement itself puts the time tag on the molecular composition of the dynamic sample. In some cases, one of the ionization steps (e.g., removal of solvent) may be regarded as quenching. 

The reference lists included in every chapter contain numerous examples of representative reports on TRMS. For more succinct summaries of TRMS, as well as the coverage of specific topics, readers are also encouraged to consult recent review articles and chapters [33,40-46]. While some of the following chapters cover important parts of MS work-flow, readers interested in more general aspects of the technique are encouraged to consult MS textbooks [23-28]. Those who are speciflcally interested in the application of MS in the studies of reaction intermediates of chemical reactions, and would like to gain a more extensive overview of that subject, are encouraged to read the book edited by Santos [47]. 

Oxford Dictionaries - Time , http //www.oxforddictionaries.com/deflnition/english/ time (accessed September 11, 2015). 

Benfey, O.T. (1963) Concepts of Time in Chemistry. J. Chem. Educ. 40 574-577. 

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