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The use of hexamethylenetetramine for nitrogen‐15 isotope abundance measurements with an organic mass spectrometer
Author(s) -
Cottrell R. C.,
Young P. J.,
Purchase R.,
Gangolli S. D.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
biomedical mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 0306-042X
DOI - 10.1002/bms.1200090109
Subject(s) - spectrometer , preamplifier , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , detector , photomultiplier , chemistry , amplifier , hexamethylenetetramine , reflectron , natural abundance , cuvette , materials science , ion , optoelectronics , optics , physics , environmental chemistry , chromatography , time of flight mass spectrometry , organic chemistry , cmos , ionization
A method has been developed which utilizes an organic mass spectrometer for the measurement of 15 N isotope enrichment in ammonia, based on conversion into hexamethylenetetramine. Commercially available equipment and minimal computing facilities were required. Ion current ratios were measured with a precision of 3% or better over a wide dynamic range by automatic voltage switching and the use of a single (retractable) Faraday Cup detector linked, with a preamplifier and the standard instrument main amplifier, to a digital voltmeter. Enrichment of 0.01 atom % above natural abundance was detected with 90% confidence, using only five replicate determinations.