Distinction of coals and their extracts by field ionization mass spectrometry and pattern recognition

Summary For the first time, uni- and multivariate statistical methods have been performed, using data sets of pyrolysis (Py)-field ionization (FI)-mass spectrometry (MS) in the range from m/z 70 to m/z 1,000. Py-FIMS is a suitable tool to characterize the volatile fractions of different coals and their pyridine extracts in vacuum. The features of this method are reduced mass spectrometric fragmentation and thermal production of high-mass primary fragments. Heating in the range from 50 to 500° C with a rate of 0.4° C/s gives very similar spectra and high relative abundance of every possible ion between m/z 200 and m/z 800, therefore it is not easy to distinguish the coals and their extracts. However, by non-linear mapping, all coals investigated and their corresponding extracts are clearly separated. Feature scaling using Fisher ratios showed, that the most characteristic ions for obtaining this clear differentiation are only of minor relative abundance. The examples of three different coals and their pyridine extracts shown here, indicate the potential of the combination of mass spectrometric and chemometric methods for detecting slight differences in very complex mixtures of substances or pyrolysates of fossil fuels.

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Unterscheidung von Kohlen und ihrer Extrakte durch Feldionisations-Massenspektrometrie und Mustererkennung

Zusammenfassung Erstmalig werden uni- und multivariate statistische Methoden für Datensätze der Pyrolyse (Py)-Feldionisations (FI)-Massenspektrometrie (MS) im Massenbereich von m/z 70 bis m/z 1000 angewandt. Py-FIMS ist ein sehr leistungsfähiges Verfahren um den Anteil der im Hochvakuum flüchtigen Fraktionen von verschiedenen Kohlen und deren Pyridinextrakten zu charakterisieren. Das Verfahren ist durch eine stark reduzierte massenspektrometrische Fragmentierung und Erzeugung von thermischen Primärbruchstücken hohen Molekulargewichtes gekennzeichnet. Im Temperaturbereich von 50° bis 500° C ergeben sich bei einer Heizrate von 0,4° C/s sehr ähnliche Massenspektren in denen praktisch jede Massenzahl im Bereich von m/z 200 bis m/z 800 belegt ist. Daher ist die Unterscheidung der Massenspektren von Kohlesorten untereinander und den dazugehörenden Kohleextrakten schwierig. Durch nicht-lineare Projektionen konnten jedoch alle untersuchten Kohlen und ihre Pyridinextrakte schnell und eindeutig getrennt werden. Merkmalerkennung aufgrund der Fisher-Quotienten zeigte, daß die meisten charakteristischen Ionen die zu einer klaren Differenzierung genutzt werden können, nur Signale sehr geringer relativer Häufigkeit darstellen. Aus den gezeigten Beispielen von drei Kohlesorten und deren Pyridinextrakten wird deutlich, welche analytischen Möglichkeiten in der Methodenkombination von Massenspektrometrie mit schonender Ionisierung und Mustererkennung eröffnet werden, mit der auch geringfügige Differenzen in sehr komplexen Mischungen oder Pyrolysaten von fossilen Brennstoffen erkannt werden können.

     

Analysis of polymers by pyrolysis/chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Two addition-type polymers, polystyrene and polypropylene, and two condensation-type polymers, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Mylar) and poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (nylon-6,6), were pyrolyzed directly in the ion source of a mass spectrometer by chemical ionization (CI) to reduce fragmentation. The spectra are relatively easy to interpret because most ion peaks occur at a mass corresponding to the ion formula M±H or M + 3H, where M is the formula of a fragment of the original polymer chain. Oligomer peaks were observed for the addition-type polymers. The intensities of the protonated dimer and monomer were measured as a function of time for styrene (S) and propylene (P). It was found that essentially all the HS⁺2 was produced by the reaction of HS⁺ with S, but at least part of the HP⁺2 was formed by proton transfer to P₂. The absence of the analogous reaction in styrene is presumably a result of the reduced volatility of S₂.     

Characterization of fouling films by pyrolysis and chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A method is described for pyrolyzing organic films on surfaces for using chemical ionization to produce mass spectra. Changes in the fingerprints of the organic film after exposure for 1 and 4 days are demonstrated. The chemical composition of the adsorbed organics is markedly different from those of the ambient water.     

Curie-point pyrolysis field ionization mass spectrometry of carbohydrates: Part A: Methodology

Methodological aspects of Curie-point pyrolysis in combination with field ionization mass spectrometry for the characterization and identification of carbohydrates are reported. Some monomeric sugars and sugar derivatives have been investigated as a first step towards a basic understanding of the pyrolysis pathways of polysaccharides.Curie-point pyrolysis is performed inside the ion source of a double-focusing mass spectrometer close to the field ion emitter. The pyrolysis products are ionized in a high electric field and spectra of high mass resolution are recorded photographically. This procedure essentially avoids mass spectrometric fragmentation and yields almost exclusively molecular ions of the pyrolysates. The best experimental conditions for pyrolysis were determined by investigating the influences of pyrolysis temperature, temperature pulse length, exposure time and trace impurities on the pyrolysis products. At a temperature of 500°C and a pulse length of 4–6 s, the most significant pyrolysis fragments appear with high relative intensity. Although most of the pyrolysis products with higher volatility are pumped out of the ion source after an exposure time of 3 min, the more characteristic degradation products of lower volatility can still be registered after 10 min. The spectra of monosaccharides such as glucuronic acid, d-glucose and some of its methylated derivatives show significant differences which can be correlated structurally with the position of the substituent.     

Differentiation of isomeric substituted diaryl ethers by electron ionization and chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A series of isomeric substituted diaryl ethers, i.e., 2- or 4-NO2, 5- FC6H3OC6H4 (4-R), where R=H, COCH3, COOCH3, NO2, CHO, OCH3 etc., which comprise ortho and para isomers with respect to the position of the nitro group are studied under GC-EI-MS and CI-MS conditions. The EI mass spectra of ortho and para isomers show distinct fragment ions, where the [MOH]+ and [MOHO]+ ions specifically appeared in all spectra of the ortho isomers (I), whereas the para isomers (II) contain [MO]+ and [MNO]+ ions. The [MOHCO]+ and [MOHNO]+ ions in I, and [MNO2]+ ion in II are the other specific fragment ions observed but feasibility of these fragment ions are found to depend on the nature of the substituent (R). The substitution (R) effect is also clearly reflected in the formation of fragment ions due to sigma-cleavage process with or without hydrogen migration. Similar differences in the formation of specific fragment ions are also observed in ortho and para isomers of substituted aryl naphthyl ethers. The methane/CI of isomeric compounds resulted in the same set of fragment ions, but prominent differences are observed in the relative abundance of [MHNO]+, which is relatively higher in para isomers compared with corresponding ortho isomer.     

Ionization and dissociation of diethylamine by field ionization mass spectrometry

The field ionization mass spectrum of diethylamine on a 5 μm activated wire at 300 K yields surface product ions like protonated molecular ions and doubly charged ions as well as gas phase ions like parent minus CH₃ group. Variations of the reaction rate as a function of the decomposition times in the range 10^?11-10^?6 s for the elimination of a CH₃ group are studied. The reaction rates are evaluated with the help of the retarding potential technique.     

Differentiation of isomeric 2-aryldimethyltetrahydro-5-quinolinones by electron ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A series of isomeric 2-aryl-6,6-dimethyltetrahydro-5-quinolinones (set I) and 2-aryl-7,7-dimethyltetrahydro-5-quinolinones (set II) were studied under positive ion electron ionization (EI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) techniques. Under EI conditions, the molecular ions were found to be less stable in set I isomers, and they resulted in abundant fragment ions, i.e., [M-CH(3)](+), [M-CO](+.), [M-HCO](+), [M-(CH(3),CO)](+), and [M-(CH(3),CH(2)O)](+), when compared with set II isomers. In addition, the set I isomers showed specific fragment ions corresponding to [M-OH](+) and [M-OCH(3)](+). The retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) product ion was always higher in set II isomers. The ESI mass spectra produced [M + H](+) ions, and their decomposition showed favorable loss of CH(3) radical, CH(4) and C(2)H(6) molecules in set I isomers. The set II isomers, however, showed predominant RDA product ions, and specific loss of H(2)O. The selectivity in EI and ESI was attributed to the instability of set I isomers by the presence of a gem-dimethyl group at the α-position, and it was supported by the data from model compounds without a gem-dimethyl group. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations successfully corroborated the fragmentation pathways for diagnostic ions. This study revealed the effect of a gem-dimethyl group located at the α-position to the carbonyl having aromatic/unsaturated carbon on the other side of the carbonyl group.     

Characterization of fire retardant polymer blends by temperature resolved in-source pyrolysis mass spectrometry

The characterization of fire retardant polymer blends by temperature resolved in-source pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PYMS) is demonstrated with a few examples. Electron impact (EI) and electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) were used to identify the thermal degradation products of polymer blends containing brominated fire retardants. PYMS (EI mode) offers an analytical instrument for a fast analysis of unknown mixtures of polymers and for the presence of fire retardant additives. Under electron impact conditions, in vacuo, low-molecular weight additives like fire retardants mainly evaporate from the polymer matrix. PYMS (EI mode) has been used for the characterization of addition polymers like polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and for condensation polymers like the polyester poly(butylene terephthalate). Applying electron capture negative ionization, at low argon pressure in the ionization chamber, a more realistic pyrolysis situation is created because the premature loss of volatile additives is suppressed. The selectivity of ECNI for electron accepting groups like bromine makes it possible to study the influence of brominated compounds on the degradation processes in the melt. This is demonstrated by our studies on polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. High-molecular weight pyrolysis products in the m/z range of 1000 - 2000 are detected for p-bromopolystyrene and for a blend of high impact polystyrene with the fire retardant system decabromodiphenyl ether/antimony(III) oxide. In addition to the formation of antimony bromides shown in earlier studies, the emission of the synergist antimony(III) oxide as a dimeric cluster (Sb₄O₆) or as a reduced Sb₄ cluster is observed under PYMS conditions.     

Differentiation of diiodothyronines using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Diiodothyronines 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2), 3',5'-diiodothyronine (3',5'-T2), and 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T2) are important metabolites of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3; reverse T3). In this paper, a novel and rapid method for identifying and quantifying 3,5-T2, 3',5'-T2 and 3,3'-T2 has been introduced using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Fragmentation patterns were proposed on the basis of our data obtained by ESI-MS/MS. MS2 spectra in either negative ionization mode or positive ionization mode can be used to differentiate 3,5-T2, 3',5'-T2 and 3,3'-T2. On the basis of the relative abundance of fragment ions in MS2 spectra under the positive ionization mode, quantification of the 3,5-T2, 3',5'-T2 and 3,3'-T2 isomers in mixtures is also achieved without prior separation.     

Differentiation of monoiodothyronines using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

In this work two monoiodothyronines, 3-T1 and 3'-T1, have been analyzed using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Fragmentation patterns were proposed based on our data obtained by ESI-MS/MS. MS2 spectra in either negative or positive ion mode can be used to differentiate 3-T1 and 3'-T1. Based on the relative abundance of fragment ions in MS2 spectra in the negative ion mode, quantification of the 3-T1 and 3'-T1 isomers in mixtures is achieved without prior separation. Solid-phase extraction in combination with ESI-MS/MS provides a practicable procedure that can be used to determine the molar ratio of 3-T1 and 3'-T1 in human serum with an error less than 3%. The detection limits for 3-T1 and 3'-T1 were 0.5 and 0.7 pg/microL, respectively.     

Pyrolysis–gas chromatography mass spectrometry and field ionization mass spectrometry of polyquinones

Low- and high-molecular mass thermal decomposition products of five polyquinones with different linking aromatic structures have been analyzed by pyrolysis–gas chromatography and by direct (in-source) pyrolysis–field ionization mass spectrometry. The quantity of carboxyl groups present in the polymer is obtained by the amounts of carbon dioxide found by pyrolysis–gas chromatography. Assuming a radical thermal decomposition mechanism the distribution of ketoacidic and quinonoid segments along the macromolecular ladder could be estimated from the high-molecular mass products measured by pyrolysis–field ionization mass spectrometry. A random distribution of the two different segments was found for polyquinones with biphenylene and dibenzofuran subunits, while a structure built up of blocks of two or more identical segments was obtained for polyquinones with dibenzothiophene and diphenylmethane subunits. At the same time the anomalous structural moieties in the polyquinone ladders are also clarified with the help of the identification of the unexpected pyroysis products. Oxidated and bis-dibenzothiophene and bis-diphenylmethane subunits were found. The observed temperature dependence for the appearances of the thermal degradation products indicates that condensation and elimination reactions are taking place under the described pyrolysis conditions. Condensation in the ketoacidic segments forming new quinonoid segments proved to be important in the polymer which was a 100% poly(ketoacid), but negligible in the polyquinones containing ketoacidic segments up to 60%.     

Thermal degradation of aliphatic polyamides studied by field ionization and field desorption mass spectrometry

The aliphatic polyamides nylon 6.6, 6.9, 6.10, 6.12, 12.6, 12.10, and 12.12 of the diamine dicarboxylic acid-type were pyrolyzed in the ion source of a double-focusing mass spectrometer and the thermal degradation products were recorded by field ionization (FI) and field desorption (FD) mass spectrometry (MS). In the FI mode, several series of thermal degradation products differing in the number of polymer repeating units were detected up to 1000 Daltons. The main products were oligomers and, in addition, protonated dinitriles and various protonated nitriles are formed in large amounts except for nylon 6.6 and nylon 12.6. These two polymers form, in contrast to all other samples, large amounts of protonated amides and diamines. The technique employed allows distinction between oligomers already present in the original polymer and oligomers formed by thermal fission of bonds in the polymer chain. Reaction mechanisms are given that explain the products observed. High resolution experiments and accurate mass measurements were performed to confirm the proposed structures. In the FD mode, cationized oligomers (attached mostly to a sodium cation) were observed below 200°C with the dimers being the base peak for most samples. In contrast to the FI results, the monomers were only detected at very low intensities. Similarly, only weak signals for additional thermal degradation products were registered except for nylon 12.6. At higher temperatures the FD mass spectra gave protonated and doubly protonated oligomers in the high mass range up to 2000 Daltons, which resulted in complementary structural information about the polymers.     

Differentiation of isobaric compounds using chemical ionization reaction mass spectrometry

The technique of proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) couples a proton transfer reagent, usually H3O+, with a drift tube and mass spectrometer to determine concentrations of volatile organic compounds. Here we describe a first attempt to use chemical ionization (CI) reagents other than proton transfer species inside a PTR-MS instrument. The ability to switch to other types of CI reagents provides an extra dimension to the technique. This capability is demonstrated by focusing on the ability to distinguish several isobaric aldehydes and ketones, including the atmospherically important molecules methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone. Two CI reagents were selected, H3O+ and NO+, both being cleanly generated in a low intensity radioactive source prior to injection into the drift tube. By recording spectra with both of these reagents, the contributions from different isobaric molecules can be separated by virtue of their unique spectrometric 'fingerprints'. The work demonstrates that this form of instrumentation is not restricted to proton transfer reagents and is the basis of a more general technique, chemical ionization reaction mass spectrometry (CIRMS).     

Identification of polymers by library search of pyrolysis mass spectra and pattern recognition analysis

A library of mass spectra of polymers containing about 200 entries is described. These spectra were obtained by direct pyrolysis-electron-impact mass spectrometry, i.e., by heating the polymers in the direct insertion probe for solid samples at a constant heating rate and recording repetitive mass spectra during the temperature rise. The library can be used both as a data base for library searches and as a training set for a pattern recognition analysis. The algorithm used to generate and search the files and a few applications of the library search and pattern recognition analysis are presented.     

Differentiation of flavonoid glycoside isomers by using metal complexation and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The elucidation of flavonoid isomers is accomplished by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) via formation and collisional activated dissociation (CAD) of metal/flavonoid complexes containing an auxiliary ligand. Addition of a metal salt and a suitable neutral auxiliary ligand to flavonoids in solution results in the formation of [M(II) (flavonoid-H) ligand]⁺ complexes by ESI which, upon collisional activated dissociation, often result in more distinctive fragmentation patterns than observed for conventional protonated or deprotonated flavonoids. Previously, 2,2′-bipyridine was used as an auxiliary ligand, and now we compare and explore the use of alternative pyridyl ligands, including 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline. Using this technique, three groups of flavonoid glycoside isomers are differentiated, including glycosides of apigenin, quercetin, and luteolin.     

Differentiation of enantiomers using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has successfully been used to differentiate pseudo-enantiomeric (isotopically labelled) amino acids by using cyclodextrin as complexing host. By using different pseudo-enantiomeric mixtures (i.e. R(Dn) + S; and R + S(Dn)), it has been demonstrated that the preference of cyclodextrin for S-enantiomers is not due to the size differences caused by the hydrogen/deuterium substitution. It is postulated that this method can be extended to differentiate enantiomers (and determine enantiomeric excess) by using a pair of enantiomeric hosts, as demonstrated previously using other ionization techniques, but with much higher sensitivity.     

气相色谱-电子轰击离子源质谱法分析卷烟和烟叶中29种农药的残留

开展了卷烟和烟叶中有机氯、有机磷和拟除虫菊酯3类29种农药残留的气相色谱-电子轰击离子源质谱(GC-EI/MS)的分析方法研究。优化与选择了卷烟和烟叶样品的前处理条件,样品经正己烷-丙酮(体积比为1∶1)混合提取剂超声提取、Florisil硅土和中性氧化铝双净化剂固相萃取柱净化、二氯甲烷-正己烷(体积比为95∶5)混合洗脱剂洗脱和浓缩后,以磷酸三苯酯(TPP)为内标物,采用GC-EI/MS的选择离子监测方式(SIM)进行定性和定量分析。当样品的加标水平为20,50,100 μg/kg时,加标回收率为70%～110%,相对标准偏差在2%～8%之间;除了甲氰菊酯、氯菊酯和溴氰菊酯的方法检出限(LOD)分别为1.85,1.74与2.54 μg/kg外,其余的26种农药的LOD均小于0.8 μg/kg;线性范围为5.0～500.0 μg/kg,相关系数都大于等于0.9994。此分析方法已成功地应用于卷烟和烟叶样品中3类29种痕量农药残留的分析