Packed capillary liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents

Packed capillary column liquid chromatography (LC)–electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used for the first time to detect and identify four common organophosphorus chemical warfare agents in aqueous samples. Aqueous samples containing the organophosphorus chemical warfare agents in the 0.01 to 0.1 mg/ml range were analyzed directly by packed capillary LC–ESI-MS with the chemical warfare agents and several minor related impurities being well resolved under acetonitrile–water gradient elution conditions. The ESI-MS data for isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (sarin or GB), O-ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate (tabun or GA), cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate (GF) and pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman or GD) were acquired with a sampling cone voltage setting that promoted collisionally activated dissociation, and resulted in the acquisition of informative mass spectra containing both molecular and product ion information. The developed method appears to be an attractive alternative to GC–MS for the analysis of aqueous samples containing organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and their hydrolysis products, since they may be analyzed directly without the need for additional sample handling.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of chemical warfare agents and their degradation products in soil and synthetic samples

A packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method was developed for the identification of chemical warfare agents, their degradation products and related compounds in synthetic tabun samples and in soil samples collected from a former mustard storage site. A number of organophosphorus and organosulfur compounds that had not been previously characterized were identified, based on acquired high-resolution ESI-MS data. At lower sampling cone voltages, the ESI mass spectra were dominated by protonated, sodiated and protonated acetonitrile adducts and/or their dimers that could be used to confirm the molecular mass of each compound. Structural information was obtained by inducing product ion formation in the ESI interface at higher sampling cone voltages. Representative ESI-MS mass spectra for previously uncharacterized compounds were incorporated into a database as part of an on-going effort in chemical warfare agent detection and identification. The same samples were also analyzed by capillary column gas chromatography (GC)-MS in order to compare an established method with LC-ESI-MS for chemical warfare agent identification. Analysis times and full-scanning sensitivities were similar for both methods, with differences being associated with sample matrix, ease of ionization and compound volatility. GC-MS would be preferred for organic extracts and must be used for the determination of mustard and relatively non-polar organosulfur degradation products, including 1,4- thioxane and 1,4-dithiane, as these compounds do not ionize during ESI-MS. Diols, formed following hydrolysis of mustard and longer-chain sulfur vesicants, may be analyzed using both methods with LC-ESI-MS providing improved chromatographic peak shape. Aqueous samples and extracts would, typically, be analyzed by LC-ESI-MS, since these analyses may be conducted directly without the need for additional sample handling and/or derivatization associated with GC-MS determinations. Organophosphorus compounds, including chemical warfare agents, related compounds and lower volatility hydrolysis products may all be determined during a single LC-ESI- MS analysis. Derivatization of chemical warfare agent hydrolysis products and other compounds with hydroxyl substitution would be required prior to GC-MS analysis, giving LC-ESI-MS a definite advantage over GC-MS for the analysis of samples containing chemical warfare agents and/or their hydrolysis products.     

Analysis of acidic drugs in the effluents of sewage treatment plants using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Azaspiracid poisoning (AZP) is a new human toxic syndrome that is caused by the consumption of shellfish that have been feeding on harmful marine microalgae. A liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method has been developed for the determination of the three most prevalent toxins, azaspiracid (AZA1), 8-methylazaspiracid (AZA2) and 22-demethylazaspiracid (AZA3) as well as the isomeric hydroxylated analogues, AZA4 and AZA5. Separation of five azaspiracids was achieved on a C₁₈ column (Luna-2, 150×2 mm, 5 μm) with isocratic elution using acetonitrile–water containing trifluoroacetic acid and ammonium acetate as eluent modifiers. Using an electrospray ionisation (ESI) source with an ion-trap mass spectrometer, the spectra showed the protonated molecules, [M+H]⁺, with most major product ions due to the sequential loss of two water molecules. A characteristic fragmentation pathway that was observed in each azaspiracid was due to the cleavage of the A-ring at C₉–C₁₀ for each toxin. It was possible to select unique ion combinations to distinguish between the isomeric azaspiracids, AZA4 and AZA5. Highly sensitive LC–MS³ analytical methods were compared and the detection limits were 5–40 pg on-column. Linear calibrations were obtained for AZA1 in shellfish in the range 0.05–1.00 μg/ml (r²=0.9974) and good reproducibility was observed with a relative standard deviation (%RSD) of 1.8 for 0.9 μg AZA1/ml (n=5). The %RSD values for the minor toxins, AZA4 and AZA5, using LC–MS³ (A-ring fragmentation) were 12.3 and 8.1 (0.02 μg/ml; n=7), respectively. The selectivity of toxin determination was enhanced using LC–MS–MS with high energy WideBand activation.     

Quantitative determination of sulfonamide in meat by liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry

This paper describes a newly developed liquid chromatography–electrospray-mass spectrometry (LC–ES-MS) method for the quantitative determination of nine commonly used sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfisoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, sulfaquinoaline and sulfaphenazole) in meat. [M+H]⁺ and [M+Na]⁺ were the two major ions detected in positive ion mode. Selective ion monitoring was employed for quantitative determination. Satisfactory linearity, 0.1–10 μg ml⁻¹, of each compound was obtained. Blank meat samples were fortified at levels between 50 and 500 μg kg⁻¹. [Phenyl-¹³C6]sulfamethazine was used as internal standard. Sulfonamides were isolated from meat with a solvent extraction procedure and then determined by LC–ES-MS. The limits of detection were below 10 μg kg⁻¹. The application of this newly developed method was demonstrated by analyzing various beef, pork and chicken samples from local markets.     

Quantitation of anabolic hormones and their metabolites in bovine serum and urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A specific and sensitive method based on tandem mass spectrometry with on-line high-performance liquid chromatography using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (LC–APCI-MS–MS) for the quantitation of anabolic hormone residues (17β-19-nortestosterone, 17β-testosterone and progesterone) and their major metabolites (17-19-nortestosterone and 17-testosterone) in bovine serum and urine is reported. [²H₂]17β-Testosterone was used as internal standard. The analytes were extracted from urine (following enzymatic hydrolysis) and serum samples by liquid–liquid extraction and purified by C₁₈ solid-phase extraction. Ionisation was performed in a heated nebulizer interface operating in the positive ion mode, where only the protonated molecule, [M+H]⁺, was generated for each analyte. This served as precursor ion for collision-induced dissociation and two diagnostic product ions for each analyte were identified for the unambiguous hormone confirmation by selected reaction monitoring LC–MS–MS. The overall inter-day precision (relative standard deviation) ranged from 6.37 to 2.10% and from 6.25 to 2.01%, for the bovine serum and urine samples, respectively, while the inter-day accuracy (relative error) ranged from −5.90 to −3.18% and from −6.40 to −2.97%, for the bovine serum and urine samples, respectively. The limit of quantitation of the method was 0.1 ng/ml for all the hormones in bovine serum and urine. On account of its high sensitivity and specificity the method has been successfully used to confirm illegal hormone administration for regulatory purposes.     

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectral analysis of oxidation products of precursors of sulfur mustards

Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectral (ESI-MSn) analysis of thiodiglycol, bis(2-hydroxyethylthio)alkanes (BHETAs) and their mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraoxygenated compounds was carried out to obtain their characteristic spectra for ESI-MS analysis. These compounds are important markers of chemical warfare agents, namely sulfur mustards. ESI-MSn (n > or = 3) analysis of a compound by collisionally induced dissociation in an ion trap gives rise to mass spectra that are somewhat similar to electron ionization mass spectra. These ESI-MSn spectra can be used for compound identification. Under ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS the compounds mostly produced [M+NH4]+, [M+H]+ and [M+H--H2O]+ ions. Fragmentations of these even-electron precursors in the ion trap gave rise to characteristic product ions via neutral loss of O2, H2O, C2H4, HCHO, C2H4O, C2H4S, HSC2H4OH and C2H4SO. Fragmentation routes of these compounds are proposed that rationalize the formation of product ions in ESI-MSn analysis.     

Acetogenic isoquinoline alkaloids: CXII. Separation and identification of dimeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The atropodiastereomeric dimeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, michellamines A (1a), B (1b) and C (1c), together with their monomers, korupensamines A (2a) and B (2b), were investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography (LC–ESI-MS–MS). From the spectra obtained, characteristic product ions were chosen to monitor the chromatographic separation achieved on an RP-18 column. Under acidic conditions required for chromatographic analysis, the monomeric alkaloids 2a and 2b yielded protonated molecules [M+H]⁺, while the dimers, the michellamines, exhibited doubly protonated [M+2H]²⁺ molecules. In addition, the coeluting alkaloids 1b and 2b were identified unambiguously by means of tandem mass spectrometry. Thus, together with the retention times of the alkaloids, the product ion spectra allowed us the identification of michellamines in the presence of their presumed biogenetic monomeric precursors. Application of the HPLC–MS–MS method successfully proved the enzymatic formation of michellamine C (1c) by in vitro dimerization of korupensamine B (2b).     

Quantitative analysis of cytokinins in plants by liquid chromatography–single-quadrupole mass spectrometry

A sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of all natural isoprenoid cytokinins in plant material by electrospray single-quadrupole mass spectrometry is presented. A baseline chromatographic separation of 20 non-derivatised naturally occurring cytokinins has been developed. Precise analyses of O-glucoside and ribonucleotide fractions were also performed by the high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) but run separately from the basic cytokinin metabolites. Using post-column splitting, the flux from narrow-bore (2.1 mm i.d.) reversed-phase liquid chromatography column was simultaneously introduced into the diode array and mass detector. Optimal conditions, including final flow rate, desolvation temperature, desolvation gas flow, capillary and cone voltage for effective ionisation in the electrospray ion source were found. When low cone voltage (20 V) was applied, all studied cytokinins were determined in aqueous methanol as dominant quasi-molecular ions of [M+H]⁺ with limits of detection ranging between 10 and 50 fmol. For routine analysis a linearity range between 25 (75) fmol and 100 pmol was obtained. Developed liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method in selective ion monitoring mode was employed to quantify cytokinin species in tobacco BY-2 suspension culture and poplar leaves (Populus×canadensis Moench, cv Robusta).

Purified plant cell (BY-2) and plant tissue (poplar leaves) extracts were obtained by using two different ion-exchange chromatography steps, in combination with immunoaffinity purification using a broad-spectrum monoclonal anti-cytokinin antibody. The antibody strongly recognises the presence of N⁶-substituent on purine skeleton and thus does not bind adenine and related compounds. The presence of authentic cytokinins in the extracts quantified by LC–MS was further verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with prior LC preparation. The combination of liquid chromatography–single-quadrupole mass spectrometry with immunoaffinity chromatography offers an efficient and elegant method for detection and quantification of cytokinin metabolites.     

Tracing polar benzene- and naphthalenesulfonates in untreated industrial effluents and water treatment works by ion-pair chromatography-fluorescence and electrospray-mass spectrometry

This paper presents a protocol for the determination of a class of polar, ionic and highly water-soluble organic pollutants: benzene- and naphthalenesulfonic acids, compounds widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, tannery, paper and textile industries. This protocol involves the use of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by ion-pair chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry (IPC-ESI-MS). In this work two polymeric solid-phase extraction cartridges (Isolute ENV+ and Lichrolut EN) were compared, with the more effective being Isolute ENV+ sorbent. Recoveries and breakthrough volumes were calculated by loading volumes of 150, 200 and 300 ml of spiked ground water through the SPE columns. To enhance the effectiveness of the methodology, 1 ml of water containing 5 mM TEA was added before eluting with methanol. Average recoveries ranging from 70 to 100% were obtained for a variety of 13 analytes (only two naphthalenesulfonate compounds had recoveries below 50%.). Determination of benzene- and naphthalenesulfonates was accomplished by ion-pair chromatography-fluorescence detection (IPC-FLD).

The ESI-MS parameters were optimized to achieve maximum sensitivity. [M–H]⁻ ion was the base peak using low energies (fragmentor voltage: 80 V). Significant fragmentation of the quasi-molecular [M–H]⁻ ion occurs at higher fragmentor voltages, leading to [M–SO₂H]⁻, [M–SO₃H]⁻ and [SO₃]⁻ as diagnostic ions, but with some sensitivity losses (more than two orders of magnitude when 150 V are applied as fragmentor voltage). Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the parent ions for the benzene- and naphthalenesulfonates studied gave the [SO₃]⁻ fragment ion common to sulfonated compounds, it has been shown to be characteristic of aromatic sulfonated compounds and could be used as a diagnostic tool to indicate the presence of these compounds.

Limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) ranging from 0.03 pg to 0.05 ng, were achieved when 150 ml of ground water were processed and quantified by IPC-FLD. In IPC-ESI-MS, time-scheduled SIM mode with post-column addition of 0.2 m min⁻¹ of methanol was used. LODs range from 0.6 pg to 0.13 ng. In summary, with the development of a methodology based on SPE followed by IPC-ESI-MS, good sensitivity, structural information and unequivocal identification can be achieved.

This protocol was applied to the analysis of surface waters, untreated industrial waste waters and wastewater treatment works effluents and influents. In the case of tannery effluent samples, isomers of naphthalenesulfonic acid were found as major pollutants in concentrations up to 0.8 and 1.0 mg l⁻¹, for 1-naphthalenesulfonate and 2-naphthalenesulfonate, respectively. The main contaminants in wastewater treatment work samples were 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate, 1-hydroxy-3,6-naphthalenedisulfonate, 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate, 1-naphthalenesulfonate and 2-naphthalenesulfonate, with levels of ug/l.     

Surface and wastewater quality monitoring: combination of liquid chromatography with (geno)toxicity detection,diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry for identification of pollutants

Identification of unknown water pollutants with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) is often more complex and time consuming than identification with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In order to focus the identification effort on relevant compounds, unknown peaks need to be selected carefully. Based on its frequency of occurrence in the LC–Diode Array Detection (LC–DAD) chromatograms of surface and infiltrated waters, an unknown peak was selected for identification with LC–MS–MS. This compound was identified as hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM), a chemical often used in the coating industry. This is the first time the presence of this chemical in surface waters has been reported. In addition to HMMM, two other structurally related compounds were found to be present in the investigated surface water. A standard mixture of HMMM and its by-products did not exhibit (geno)toxicity under the test conditions applied in this study. In another example, a genotoxic fraction of an industrial wastewater was isolated and examined by LC–MS–MS using a modern quadrupole–orthogonal acceleration-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF). Four compounds were detected. The structures of two compounds present are proposed to be 9-amino-2-hydroxy-acridine and 9-hydroxy-acridine-N-oxide or its structural isomer dihydroxy-acridine. Confirmation with standards could not be carried out, as pure compounds are not available. The other two compounds (structural isomers) could not be identified based on the data available within this study.     

Comparison between liquid chromatography-UV detection and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the characterization of impurities and/or degradants present in trimethoprim tablets

The characterization of impurities and/or degradants present in pharmaceutical compounds is an important part of the drug development process. Although LC–UV is commonly employed for impurities and degradant compound determination, LC–MS techniques are proposed in this work to be a viable modern alternative for the characterization of these compounds. LC–UV and LC–MS were compared for the detection of impurities present in different brands of trimethoprim tablets by using an in-line LC–UV–MS system with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source (APCI) coupled with a reversed-phase gradient HPLC system. It was shown that, although chemical noise was higher when using full-scan LC–MS compared to LC–UV, low level impurities were better detected by mass spectrometry (MS) when modern software algorithms are employed. These included the “Contour” chromatogram algorithm and/or the “component detection algorithm” (CODA). In addition, MS allowed for the simultaneous determination of the molecular masses and some structural information of the impurities and/or degradants. The results also showed a large difference in the purity of trimethoprim among different manufacturers. LC–MS and tandem MS techniques were employed to acquire fragmentation patterns for trimethoprim and its degradants to gain insight into their structures.     

Determination of theophylline and its metabolites in biological samples by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) is a powerful tool for analysis of drugs and their metabolites. We used a column-switching system in combination with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization LC–MS (LC–APCI–MS) for the determination of theophylline and its metabolites in biological samples. The separation was carried out on a reversed-phase column using methanol–20 mM ammonium acetate as a mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min in 30 min. In the mass spectrum, the molecular ions of these drugs and metabolites were clearly observed as base peaks. This method is sufficiently sensitive and accurate for the pharmacokinetic studies of these drugs.     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and strategies for trace-level analysis of polar organic pollutants

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure ionization (LC–API-MS) has drastically changed the analytical methods used to detect polar pollutants in water. The present status of application of this technique to organic water constituents is reviewed. The selection of the appropriate LC conditions, whether reversed-phase liquid chromatography, ion-pair chromatography, capillary electrophoresis or ion chromatography, and of the most sensitive ionization mode, electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), depends upon the polarity and acidity of the analytes. Strongly acidic compounds such as aromatic sulfonates, sulfonated dyes, haloacetic acids, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, aliphatic sulfonates and sulfates and complexing agents, weakly acidic compounds such as carboxylates and phenols, neutral compound classes, namely alkylphenol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the basic toxins, quaternary ammonium compounds and organometallic compounds are considered. The selection of the mass spectrometer depends upon the analytical task: triple-quadrupole mass spectrometers are highly suited for sensitive quantitation and for qualitative analyses, ion traps are especially suited for structure elucidation, whereas time-of-flight mass spectrometers and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers with their higher mass resolution are ideal for the determination of molecular formulas of unknown compounds and for screening purposes. While large steps have already been made, future efforts with respect to water analysis may be directed at fine-tuning the methodical arsenal for increased sensitivity and selectivity and to extend LC–MS application to transformation products.     

Photocatalysed degradation of uracil in aqueous titanium dioxide suspensions: mechanisms, pH and cadmium chloride effects

Upon UV irradiation, in O₂ saturated aqueous titanium dioxide suspensions, uracil is almost completely mineralised. Most of the organic compounds occurring during the photodegradation process have been identified by means of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled techniques (LC–MS). The first step of the mineralisation leads to the formation of uracilglycol. Then, the main products generated during the photodegradation exhibit new functions such as polyol, carboxylic and aldehyde. The presence of urea has been clearly evidenced. At the end of the process, the ultimate step is the formation of nitrate and ammonium ions. The formation kinetics of intermediate products are modified by pH variation and CdCl₂ addition.     

Identification tree based on fragmentation rules for structure elucidation of organophosphorus esters by electrospray mass spectrometry

Organophosphorus compounds have played important roles as pesticides, chemical warfare agents and extractors of radioactive material. Structural elucidation of phosphonates poses a particular challenge because their initial forms can be hydrolyzed, thus, degradation products may predominate in samples acquired in the field. The analysis of non‐volatile organophosphorus compounds and their degradation products is possible using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry ESI‐MS/MS. Here, we present a generic strategy that allows the unambiguous identification of substituents for two families of organophosphorus compounds: the phosphonates and phosphates. General fragmentation rules were deduced based on the study of decomposition pathways of 55 organophosphorus esters, including examples found in the literature. Multistage MS (MSⁿ) experiments at high resolution in a hybrid mass spectrometer provide accurate mass measurements, whereas collision‐induced dissociation experiments in a triple quadrupole give access to small fragment ions. The creation of a specific nomenclature for each possible structure of organophosphorus compound, depending on the alkyl side chain linked to the oxygen, was achieved by applying these fragmentation rules. This led to the creation of an ‘identification tree’ based upon the unique consecutive decomposition pathways uncovered for each individual compound. Hence, seven structural motifs were created that orient an unequivocal identification using the ‘identification tree’. Despite the similar structures of the ensemble of phosphate and phosphonate esters, distinct identifications based upon characteristic neutral losses and diagnostic fragment ions were possible in all cases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of a hand-portable gas chromatograph-toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer for self-chemical ionization identification of degradation products related to O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate (VX)

The chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate (VX) and many related degradation products produce poorly diagnostic electron ionization (EI) mass spectra by transmission quadrupole mass spectrometry. Thus, chemical ionization (CI) is often used for these analytes. In this work, pseudomolecular ([M+H]⁺) ion formation from self-chemical ionization (self-CI) was examined for four VX degradation products containing the diisopropylamine functional group. A person-portable toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer with a gas chromatographic inlet was used with EI, and both fixed-duration and feedback-controlled ionization time. With feedback-controlled ionization, ion cooling (reaction) times and ion formation target values were varied. Evidence for protonation of analytes was observed under all conditions, except for the largest analyte, bis(diisopropylaminoethyl)disulfide which yielded [M+H]⁺ ions only with increased fixed ionization or ion cooling times. Analysis of triethylamine-d₁₅ provided evidence that [M+H]⁺ production was likely due to self-CI. Analysis of a degraded VX sample where lengthened ion storage and feedback-controlled ionization time were used resulted in detection of [M+H]⁺ ions for VX and several relevant degradation products. Dimer ions were also observed for two phosphonate compounds detected in this sample.     

Residue determination of cyromazine and its metabolite melamine in chard samples by ion-pair liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the sensitive and selective determination of cyromazine and its metabolite melamine in chard samples. Both compounds are small polar basic molecules, making their determination at residue levels complicated. The method involves an extraction procedure with phosphate buffer and methanol using high-speed blender, the addition of tridecafluoroheptanoic acid (TFHA) as ion-pair reagent and the injection of the five-fold diluted extract on liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS). The method has been validated for chard samples, spiked at 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg⁻¹. Quantification was carried out by using matrix-matched standards calibration and recoveries were satisfactory, with mean values for cyromazine of 103% and 93%, and relative standard deviations lower than 7%. In the case of melamine, recoveries were 89% and 86%, with relative standard deviations lower than 13%. A limit of quantification of 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ was obtained for both compounds, with the limit of detection below 0.01 mg kg⁻¹. The method, with very little sample handling and good sensitivity, was applied to the rapid determination of low residue levels of these compounds in chards from field residue trials. All the quality controls included during the analysis were satisfactory with average recoveries of 92% and 78% for cyromazine and melamine, respectively.     

C1～C3正构醛、醇在质子转移反应飞行时间质谱中的产物离子特征分析

为分析C₁～C₃正构醛、 醇化合物在质子转移反应飞行时间质谱(PTR-TOF MS)中的产物离子特征, 考察了不同E/N值(E: 电场强度, N: 气体分子数密度)下C₁～C₃正构醛、 醇的产物离子种类和强度的变化. 结果表明, 低分子量正构醇类(甲醇、 乙醇和丙醇)倾向于形成质子化聚合物[nMH]⁺及其失水离子[nMH-H₂O]⁺, 且随着E/N值升高, 醇类会产生较多裂解碎片和多聚体离子. 低分子量正构醛(甲醛、 乙醛和丙醛)主要产生质子化产物[MH]⁺和一水合质子化产物[M·H₃O]⁺, 高E/N值(>125 Td)会抑制甲醛质子化, 也会抑制其加合产物的生成. 乙醛倾向于形成水加合物, 且随着E/N值增高, 质子化乙醛与一水合质子化乙醛的变化趋势相反. 另外, 丙醛在较高的E/N值下会产生一系列聚合物, 如[MH·C₂H₅]⁺和[2MH]⁺. 通过分析C₁～C₃正构醛、 醇的质子转移反应特征及产物离子形成过程, 获得了C₁～C₃正构醛、 醇的特征离子和对应的最佳E/N设置值, 为低分子量醛、 醇的定性分析提供了重要依据.     

Reduction of nitriles to amines in positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Some compounds readily form [M+46]+ adduct ions during positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry ((+)ESI-MS) analysis. These [M+46]+ ions were characterized as [M+CH3CH2NH2+H]+ by accurate mass determination. Ethylamine involved in the adduct was proposed to be the reduction product of acetonitrile and this was confirmed using deuterated acetonitrile. Other nitrile-containing compounds tested, including isobutyronitrile and benzonitrile, also formed the adduct ions of the respective amine forms under (+)ESI-MS conditions. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments demonstrated that the reductive hydrogen originated from water. Reduction of nitriles (R-CN) to their respective amines (R-CH2NH2) under (+)ESI-MS conditions expands the ability to identify nitrile-containing chemical unknowns.     

Determination of sarin, soman and their hydrolysis products in soil by packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

An analytical method based on aqueous ultrasonic extraction and packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) analysis was developed and compared to an existing gas chromatography(GC)-MS based method for the determination of sarin, soman and their hydrolysis products in contaminated soil. Three soils, a red clay, a tan sandy clay and a brown sandy clay loam, were spiked with sarin and soman and their initial hydrolysis products, isopropyl methylphosphonic acid and pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid, at the 10 microg/g level to assess recovery efficiency. Recovery of sarin and soman from the aqueous soil extracts was comparable to the existing analytical method, with a significant improvement in recovery being demonstrated for the chemical warfare agent hydrolysis products. Sarin and soman were recovered in the 20-90% range from the three soil types with aqueous extraction, while the hydrolysis products of these chemical warfare agents were extracted with recoveries in excess of 80%. The developed soil extraction and analysis method appears to be an attractive alternative to the GC-MS based method, since aqueous extracts containing chemical warfare agent hydrolysis products may be analysed directly, eliminating the need for additional sample handling and derivatization steps.