Evaluation of three ionisation modes for the analysis of chlorinated paraffins by gas chromatography/ion‐trap mass spectrometry

The applicability of three ionisation modes to the analysis of short‐chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was evaluated. MS conditions for electron ionisation (EI), positive chemical ionisation (PCI) and electron‐capture negative ionisation (ECNI) were optimised using commercially available individual tetra‐, penta‐ and hexachlorodecanes. In addition, mass spectra were studied and fragmentation pathways were proposed for each individual congener. Different fragment ions were evaluated for quantification, and ECNI‐MS using [HCl 2 ] − and [Cl 2 ] − . ions was selected for the determination of SCCPs. Quality parameters (repeatability, limits of detection and calibration range) were established for the proposed method, which was then applied to the analysis of SCCPs in river sediments. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.