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Selective surface ionization of quaternary salts on a platinum filament
Author(s) -
Van Gemmeren U.,
Röllgen F. W.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
organic mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 0030-493X
DOI - 10.1002/oms.1210220715
Subject(s) - chemistry , fragmentation (computing) , ionization , alkyl , ammonium , inorganic chemistry , pyridinium , platinum , selectivity , thermal decomposition , ion , ionic bonding , organic chemistry , catalysis , computer science , operating system
Surface ionization of quaternary ammonium and pyridinium salts evaporated onto a platinum filament has been investigated. The experiments reveal a high selectivity for the formation of intact cations from these salts with virtually no fragmentation up to about 1000 K, and a low level of fragmentation up to about 1300 K, while even at higher temperatures the ionization of volatile non‐ionic compounds such as trialkyl amines is largely suppressed. The fragmentation of quaternary cations at higher temperatures is attributed in part to decomposition reactions in a two‐dimensional ion trap on the surface formed by the image force of the ions. For some compounds and mixtures, evidence is presented of the exchange of alkyl groups for cations as a thermal reaction prior to volatilization of the salts. The surface ionization technique appears promising for selective detection of quaternary salts from complex mixtures.