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Capillary column ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and simulants
Author(s) -
D'Agostino Paul A.,
Provost Lionel R.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
biomedical and environmental mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 0887-6134
DOI - 10.1002/bms.1200130505
Subject(s) - chemical ionization , electron ionization , chemistry , mass spectrometry , ionization , atmospheric pressure chemical ionization , ion source , ion , mass spectrum , analytical chemistry (journal) , direct electron ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry interface , fragmentation (computing) , chromatography , organic chemistry , computer science , operating system
Capillary column ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry was investigated as a technique for the characterization of a number of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and simulants, since electron impact ionization provides little or no molecular ion information for these compounds. The effects of source temperature, source pressure, electron energy and electron emission were investigated in order to optimize ammonia chemical ionization conditions. Source temperature was found to have a dramatic effect on the chemical ionization mass spectra acquired. Abundant [M + NH 4 ] + and/or [M + H] + quasimolecular ions were usually observed at lower source temperatures for the selected compounds under positive ion chemical ionization conditions, along with a number of characteristic fragmentation ions. Full‐scan mass spectra were obtained for 1‐‐2 ng of analyte during the capillary column ammonia chemical ionization operation. The sensitivity, molecular ion information afforded and lack of background interference ions associated with this technique make it a good candidate for the confirmation of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and simulants.