isotopic label

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08733
Radioactive or stable isotope of a specified element distinguishable by the observer but not by the system used to identify an isotopic tracer.
Notes:
  1. 'Isotopic labelling' is the incorporation of an isotopic label in a substance. It may be qualified by the manner of introduction of the label, e.g. exchange labelling, conjugation labelling, recoil labelling.
    Example: Deuterium ('isotopic label') that is substituted for protium in the illegal drug methylamphetamine, for use in analysis by mass spectrometry. Methylamphetamine incorporating deuterium is the 'isotopic tracer'.
  2. In general usage, 'label' and 'tracer' are used synonymously.
Source:
PAC, 2021, 93, 69. (Vocabulary of radioanalytical methods (IUPAC Recommendations 2020)) on page 85 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'isotopic label' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08733 RIS BibTex EndNote
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