Open AccessA preconcentrator coupled to a GC/FTMS: Advantages of self-chemical ionization, mass measurement accuracy, and high mass resolving power for GC applications
Author(s) -
Touradj Solouki,
Jan E. Szulejko,
Justin B. Bennett,
Louella W. Graham
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of the american society for mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.961
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1879-1123
pISSN - 1044-0305
DOI - 10.1016/j.jasms.2004.03.003
Subject(s) - chemistry , mass spectrometry , fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance , analytical chemistry (journal) , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , gas chromatography , chemical ionization , hydrocarbon , analyte , chromatography , mass spectrum , ionization , time of flight mass spectrometry , electron ionization , selected ion monitoring , ion , organic chemistry
Coupling of a cryogenic preconcentrator (PC) to a gas chromatograph/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (GC/FT-ICR MS) is reported. To demonstrate the analytical capabilities of the PC/GC/FT-ICR MS, headspace samples containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from detached pine tree twigs were analyzed. Sub-ppm mass measurement accuracy (MMA) for highly resolved (m/Deltam(50%) > 150 k) terpene ions was achieved. Direct PC/GC/FT-ICR MS analyses revealed that detached twigs from pine trees emit acetone, camphor, and four detectable hydrocarbon isomers with C(10)H(16) empirical formula. The unknown analytes were identified based on accurate mass measurement and their mass spectral appearances. Authentic samples were used to confirm initially unknown identifications. Self-chemical-ionization (SCI) reactions furnished an additional dimension for rapid isomer differentiation of GC eluents in real time.