Thermal degradation of deoxybenzoin polymers studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The thermal degradation behavior of novel ultra-fire-resistant polymers and copolymers containing deoxybenzoin units in the backbone was studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The polymers were synthesized by the polycondensation of 4,4′-bishydroxydeoxybenzoin (BHDB) with isophthaloyl chloride (to give polyarylates), phenylphosphonic dichloride (to give polyphosphonates), and their mixtures (to give poly(arylate-co-phosphonate) copolymers). The thermal decomposition, under nitrogen conditions, of BHDB-polyarylate was characterized by a simultaneous degradation of both the bisphenolic (deoxybenzoin) and isophthalate sub-units, whereas a three-step decomposition phenomenon was observed for the BHDB-polyphosphonate. BHDB-polymers containing phosphonate groups in the backbone did not show any phosphorus-based volatile decomposition products, whereas the corresponding bisphenol A-based polyphosphonates released volatile decomposition products comprised mainly of phosphorus-containing compounds.     

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the chemical characterisation of modern and archaeological figs (Ficus carica)

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after alkaline hydrolysis, solvent extraction and trimethylsilylation, and analytical pyrolysis using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for in situ derivatisation followed by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis (Pyrolysis-silylation-GC/MS) were used to investigate the hydrolysable and soluble constituents, and the polymerised macromolecules of an archaeological fig (Ficus carica) recovered in Zaragoza (Spain), as well as of modern figs. The main aim was to study the compositional alterations undergone by the fig tissues in a particular archaeological environment: the fig was in a vessel and covered by a layer of a mixture of orpiment and gypsum. A comparison between the GC/MS results from modern and archaeological figs revealed that degradative reactions took place, leading to the disappearance/depletion of reactive (unsaturated fatty acids) and sensitive compounds (phytosterols and triterpenes). Py-silylation-GC/MS data provided evidence of a significant degradation of the saccharide and lipid components of the fig tissue, which left a residue enriched in polyphenols and polyesters.     

Structural analysis of lignin in chestnut wood by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The goal of the study was to determine the percentage of lignin in chestnut wood and to characterize structurally this polymer by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) according to a possible influence on ring shake defect. The sampling was performed in different sites of Lazio Region in Italy. Wood disks from trees with ring shake defect and without ring shake defect were selected and little amount of heartwood (1-2 g) sampled between 6th and 10th and between 11th and 15th annual growth ring were analyzed. The study allowed quantifying lignin content, which is in average 26% and syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, which present an average value of 2.43. Belong the pyrolysis products of wood, the trees characterized by ring shake show a higher concentration of the phenol homosyringaldehyde respect to the healthy trees. There is not any evident difference in the products composition of pyrolysis in respect to trees’ age, especially the critical period of 12-14 years in which ring shake generally becomes more evident. The site of wood provenance is the higher factor of variability in the structure of lignin for many phenols.     

Analysis of red phosphorus in resins using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Although red phosphorus is used as a flame retardant for polymer materials, no analysis methods for it in resins has been established. Analysis methods for red phosphorus in resins were investigated using pyrolysis-gas chromatograpy/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) by paying attention to the fact that it has a sublimation property. We found that the mass spectrum of red phosphorus shows a series of ions at m/z=62, 93 and 124, and a fragment pattern indicating that red phosphorus (P4=124, P=31) was pyrolytically decomposed. The coefficient of the correlation between the content of red phosphorus in the resin and the peak intensity in Py-GC/MS was 0.9781. The relative standard deviations of this analysis method was 6.29% (n=5). Py-GC/MS was applicable not only to qualitative analysis but also to the quantitative analysis of red phosphorus.     

Identifying acetylated lignin units in non-wood fibers using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A series of non-wood plant fibers, namely kenaf, jute, sisal and abaca, have been analyzed upon pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) of the whole material. The pyrolysis products mainly arise from the carbohydrate and lignin moieties of the fibers. The lignin-derived phenols belonged to the p-hydroxyphenylpropanoid (H), guaiacylpropanoid (G) and syringylpropanoid (S) structures, and showed a high S/G ratio of between 2.0 and 5.4, the highest corresponding to kenaf. Among the lignin-derived phenols released, small amounts of sinapyl and coniferyl acetates (in both cis- and trans-forms) were identified for the first time upon Py-GC/MS of lignocellulosic materials. Acetylation of the sinapyl and coniferyl alcohols was at the gamma-position of the side chain. The release of these alcohols derived from intact acetylated lignin units upon pyrolysis seems to indicate that the native lignin in the fibers selected for this study is at least partially acetylated. Sinapyl (and coniferyl) acetates have recently been suggested to be authentic lignin precursors involved in the polymerization of lignin along with the normal sinapyl and coniferyl alcohols. Py-GC/MS will offer a convenient and rapid tool for analyzing naturally acetylated lignins, as well as to screen plant materials for the presence of acetylated units in lignin.     

Differentiation of resin-modified paints by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and principal component analysis

The combination of pyrolysis (Py) with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is already well established for polymer analysis. A first approach is reported using this method for detailed quality monitoring of a complex technical polymer system. Six similar solvent-based paints (one standard and five modifications) have been used for evaluation. The major pyrolysis products were identified and qualitative and quantitative modifications were detected and specified. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied for visualization of differences and similarities.     

Synthesis of Rhus succedanea lacquer film and analysis by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Laccol, a major component of lacquer sap from Rhus succedanea, was synthesized by a Witting reaction, and then mixed with acetone powder separated from raw lacquer sap to synthesize lacquer films. The resulting lacquer films were analyzed by pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and the results were compared with that of natural lacquer film to evaluate the polymerization mechanism and film structure. The results showed that saturated and monoenyl laccol components were present only in the natural lacquer film, but not in the synthesized lacquer films. Meanwhile, alkylphenols, alkebulphenols, alkanes, and alkenes having longer carbon chains than the side chains were detected in the synthesized laccol, suggesting that the polymerization of synthetic laccol proceeds through the laccase-catalyzed nucleus-side chain CO coupling and autoxidative side chain to side chain CC coupling like natural lacquer film. The synthesized laccol films showed shallow color and hardness, which would make them useful as good preservative surface-coating materials.     

Differentiation of resin-modified paints by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and principal component analysis

The combination of pyrolysis (Py) with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is already well established for polymer analysis. A first approach is reported using this method for detailed quality monitoring of a complex technical polymer system. Six similar solvent-based paints (one standard and five modifications) have been used for evaluation. The major pyrolysis products were identified and qualitative and quantitative modifications were detected and specified. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied for visualization of differences and similarities.     

Hyphenation of aqueous liquid chromatography to pyrolysis-gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the comprehensive characterization of water-soluble polymers

A recently developed hyphenated system for "organic" size-exclusion chromatography-pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SEC-Py-GC-MS) is adapted to allow the use of aqueous LC eluents as applied in the characterization of water-soluble polymers. The system uses syringe-based transfer of multiple LC-fractions to the GC instrument with solvent elimination and subsequent pyrolysis in a programmed temperature vaporization injector. The problems of the large-volume injections of aqueous, salt containing eluents into the Py-GC-MS are solved by using a 'sintered-bed liner' for elimination of the water at a high temperature, a volatile salt and the installation of a back-flush option. After optimization, the system was applied for the determination of the combined molecular weight-chemical composition of a polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol block copolymer. This analysis was done with the system in the aqueous SEC-Py-GC-MS mode. Also demonstrated is the automated at-line characterization of a random polystyrene-polymethylmethacrylate copolymer, now with the system in the gradient reversed-phase LC-Py-GC-MS mode. The methods proposed in the present work are very useful for the detailed characterization of water-soluble copolymers.     

Assessment of the degradation of polyurethane foams after artificial and natural ageing by using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Polyurethane foams are widely present in museum collections either as part of the artefacts, or as a material for their conservation. Unfortunately many of PU foam artefacts are in poor condition and often exhibit specific conservation issues. Their fast thermal and photochemical degradations have been the aim of previous researches. It is now accepted that hydrolysis predominates for polyester-based polyurethane PU(ES) whereas oxidation is the principal cause of degradation for polyether-based polyurethane PU(ET) variety. Only a few studies have been devoted to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by polyurethanes and, to our knowledge, none were performed on polyurethane foams by using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The objective of the work described here is to assess the impact of some environmental factors (humidity, temperature and daylight) on the degradation of PU foams by evaluating their volatile fractions. We investigated morphological changes, polymerized fractions and volatile fractions of (i) one modern produced PU(ES) foam and one modern PU(ET) foam artificially aged in different conditions as well as (ii) four naturally aged foams collected from various daily life objects and selected for the representativeness of their analytical data. Characterization procedure used was based on attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and non-invasive headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). In this paper, the formation of alcohol and acid raw products for PU(ES) and glycol derivatives for PU(ET) during natural and artificial ageing is confirmed. These main products can be considered as degradation markers for PU foams. Results show that artificial and natural ageing provide similar analytical results, and confirm that the dominant degradation paths for PU(ES) and for PU(ET) are hydrolysis and photo-oxidation, respectively. Lastly, we highlight that non-invasive HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis allows to distinguish between PU(ES) and PU(ET) at any point of their degradations.     

Evidence for demethylation of syringyl moieties in archaeological wood using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Archaeological oak (Quercus sp.) wood samples, ranging from 16(th) C. AD to 6000 BP, were studied using flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to obtain insight into angiosperm lignin degradation. The pyrolysates revealed evidence of a number of 3-methoxy-1,2-benzenediol derivatives, methoxycatechols, directly related to 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, syringyl, moieties which are characteristic building blocks of angiosperm lignin. Mass spectra and mass chromatograms of these compounds are reported. The finding of these characteristic pyrolysis products in well-preserved archaeological wood provides unequivocal evidence that demethylation of syringyl units occurs very early in wood degradation. It is highly likely that the absence of abundant 3-methoxy-1, 2-benzenediols in degrading plant materials containing angiosperm lignin relates to the lability of these newly formed moieties.     

Radical identification by liquid chromatography/thermospray mass spectrometry

Radical adducts of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) with hydroxyl, methanol-derived, and ethanol-derived radicals were detected by a combination of liquid chromatography with either electron paramagnetic resonance or thermospray mass spectrometry (LC/EPR or LC/TSP-MS) in the Fenton system (with methanol or ethanol). One radical adduct was observed in the reaction of DMPO with the hydroxyl radical or the methanol-derived radical, while two adducts were detected in the reaction of DMPO with ethanol-derived radicals. The LC/TSP-MS spectra showed quasi-molecular ions [M + H]+ at m/z 146 and m/z 160 for the methanol-derived and ethanol-derived radical adducts, respectively, and an apparent molecular ion M+ at m/z 130 for the hydroxyl radical adduct. Use of methyl-D3 alcohol (CD3OH) and ethyl-D5 alcohol (CD3CD2OH) indicated that carbon-centered radicals are formed. Experiments with partially deuterated ethanol (CD3CH2OH and CH3CD2OH) indicated that the two adducts observed in the reaction of DMPO with ethanol-derived radicals correspond to the two diastereomeric adducts of DMPO with the alpha-hydroxyethyl free radical.     

Application of pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to study changes in the organic matter of macro- and microaggregates of a Mediterranean soil upon heating

The heating effect on the soil organic matter (SOM) of a Mediterranean soil was studied in two fractions (macro- and microaggregates) and in two environments (soil under canopy of Quercus coccifera and bare soil between plants). Samples were heated under laboratory conditions at different temperatures (220, 380 and 500°C) to establish their effects on the SOM quality and quantity by comparison with unheated control samples (25°C). The SOM content in the soil under canopy was higher than in the bare one and in the microaggregate fractions than in the macroaggregate ones. Increasing temperatures caused, in general, the decrease of SOM content in both soils as well as in both aggregate classes. The quality of SOM was determined after extraction with 0.1 M NaOH and analysed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Obtained pyrolysates were characterized by the presence of polyphenols and other aromatic pyrolysis products (lipids, polysaccharides, proteins and lignin derivatives). Some of the products in these control samples, and furthermore the presence of black carbon (BC) markers (e.g. benzene, pyridine and toluene), confirmed the occurrence of past wildfires in the study zone. The composition of the SOM extracted from the soils heated at 220°C, was quite similar to that obtained from unheated soils. The products derived from polysaccharides and lignin, and some coming from polyphenols, were not detected in the pyrolysates of the soil heated at 380 and 500°C.     

Rapid quality checking of polyethylene water/gas-pipelines: a model based on pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and discriminant analysis

Eighty-five samples taken from polyethylene (PE) water/gas-ducts were pyrolyzed (from triplicate to 9-fold analyses) at 700 °C for 20 s in an N₂ atmosphere using a platinum coil pyrolyzer and a tube cooled in liquid nitrogen. The pyrolyzed products were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and subjected to discriminant analysis. The samples included intact materials and sections fractured both in-field and following laboratory tests. Statistical data treatment allowed the samples to be subdivided into three groups. These groups were consistent with a pattern that fits well with sample rating after a modified stress-cracking test based on pipe resistance to increasing internal pressure. Such results can be explained through the relationship between pyrolysis (PY) fingerprint and polymer structure, which is in turn known to be related to the lifetime of the material. Compared with semi-empirical mechanical tests which are seldom used by water companies because of their lengthy duration, the PY and GC/MS approach is faster, simpler, cost effective, and provides molecular data on the original samples. The statistical models based on PY and GC/MS can be a valuable tool for water/gas companies that need to check the quality of PE pipes and predict their lifetime prior to purchase and installation, thus, helping companies set appropriate quality standards to reduce the occurrence of failures along operating pipelines.     

Analysis of bacterial strains with pyrolysis-gas chromatography/differential mobility spectrometry

Eight vegetative bacterial strains and two spores were characterized by pyrolysis-gas chromatography with differential mobility spectrometry (py-GC/DMS) yielding topographic plots of ion intensity, retention time, and compensation voltage simultaneously for ions in positive and negative polarity. Biomarkers were found in the pyrolysate at characteristic retention times and compensation voltages and were confirmed by standard addition with GC/MS analyses providing discrimination between Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial types, but no recognition of individual strains within the Gram negative bacteria. Principal component analysis was applied using two dimensional data sets of ion intensity versus retention time at five compensation voltages including the reactant ion peaks all in positive and negative ion polarity. Clustering was observed with compensation voltage (CV) chromatograms associated with ion separation in the DMS detector and little or no clustering was observed with the reactant ion peaks or CV chromatograms where ion separation is poor. Consistent clustering of Gram positive B. odysseyi and Gram negative E. coli in both positive and negative polarities with the reactant ion peak chromatograms and key CV chromatograms suggests common but unknown common chemical compositions in the pyrolysate.     

Rapid characterization of the sucrose esters from oriental tobacco using liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry

Sucrose esters (SEs) from oriental tobacco are normally characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after a long saponification and derivatization procedure. To simplify the process, a rapid method has been developed by using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MSn). Using the characteristic fragmentation behavior of abundant SEs identified by GC/MS after purification by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) from cuticular waxes of green oriental tobacco leaf, two types of SEs from green and cured oriental tobacco were identified by MSn analysis. The first is one of three types reported formerly and has 13 SE homologues. However, the presence of unsaturation in one of the acyl substituents of this first type gave rise to a new series with three homologues. The other was found to be a new type and had three homologues. The proposed method enables the rapid and sensitive characterization of SEs from oriental tobacco.     

Curie-point pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the identification of paint media

Curie-point pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has been applied to different model paint samples containing proteinaceous (egg yolk) and oily (linseed oil) media. Results of pyrolysis at 610°C are highly reproducible, and among the different pyrolysis products some compounds diagnostic for the different binders have been identified. The application of the method to real samples, i.e. from the oil painting ‘Ritratto’ by Giuseppe Nogari (1669–1763) and from the tempera paint on the ligneous roof of S. Giobbe church (16th century) in Venice, proves its effectiveness in the identification of binding media.     

Determination of chlormequat and mepiquat in foods by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: interlaboratory study

Interlaboratory validation studies have been performed on 2 methods for the determination of chlormequat (CLQ) and mepiquat (MPQ). Both methods used identical extraction procedures and stable isotope internal standardization but differed in the use of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) or LC/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the determination, the amount of internal standard used, and the expected limit of detection. After addition of deuterated internal standards, CLQ and MPQ were extracted with methanol-water and determined by LC//MS or LC/MS/MS with positive electrospray ionization. Eight European laboratories participated in the LC/MS method study, analyzing mushroom, pear, wheat flour, and fruit puree with residues of CLQ in the range 0.040-1.19 mg/kg and of MPQ in the range 0.041-0.39 mg/kg. For CLQ, the Horwitz ratio (HoRat) values for individual test materials/levels were in the range 0.85-1.13 with a mean of 1.00, showing good method performance. For MPQ, the Ho values for mushroom, pear (both levels), and wheat flour were in the range 0.83-0.94, again indicating good method performance. For the determination of MPQ in infant food (fruit puree) at 0.041 mg/kg, the Ho was 1.7 when a value of 0 reported by one participant was excluded. In the LC/MS/MS study, in which 11 laboratories participated, a separate sample set was analyzed with residues of CLQ in the range 0.007-1.03 mg/kg and of MPQ in the range 0.008-0.72 mg/kg. Ho values for CLQ were in the range 0.27-1.36 and for MPQ in the range 0.51-2.10, all corresponding to acceptable method performance.     

Determination of two oxy-pyrimidine metabolites of diazinon in urine by gas chromatography/mass selective detection and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry

An analytical method was developed for the determination in urine of 2 metabolites of diazinon: 6-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (G-27550) and 2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-6-methyl-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (GS-31144). Two of the urine sample preparation procedures presented rely on gas chromatography/mass selective detection (GC/MSD) in the selected ion monitoring mode for determination of G-27550. For fast sample preparation and a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 1.0 ppb, urine samples were purified by using ENV+ solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns. For analyte confirmation at an LOQ of 0.50 ppb, classical liquid/liquid partitioning was used before further purification in a silica SPE column. An SPE sample preparation procedure and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/ESI/MS/MS) were used for both G-27550 and GS-31144. The limit of detection was 0.01 ng for G-27550 with GC/MSD, and 0.016 ng when LC/ESI/MS/MS was used for both G-27550 and GS-31144. The LOQ was 0.50 ppb for G-27550 when GC/MSD and the partitioning/SPE sample preparation procedure were used, and 1.0 ppb for the SPE only sample preparation procedure. The LOQ was 1.0 ppb for both analytes when LC/ESI/MS/MS was used.