Analysis of cyanoacrylate ultraviolet absorbers using liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry: influence of fragmentor voltage and solvent on ionization and fragmentation behaviors

Ionization efficiencies and fragmentation patterns of cyanoacrylate ultraviolet (UV) absorbers, Uvinul 3035 and Uvinul 3039, were studied using liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC/APCI‐MS). Solvent effect on the ionization efficiencies was investigated using methanol, ethanol, acetone, and chloroform. The fragmentation patterns were also investigated by varying the fragmentor voltage. Solvated ions, the [M+H + solvent] + of methanol, ethanol, and acetone were detected, but the [M+H + chloroform] + ion was not observed. For Uvinul 3039 in chloroform, the [M+CHCl 2 ] + ion was detected instead of the solvated ion. Relative abundance of the solvated ion was decreased by increasing the fragmentor voltage. Fragment ions of m/z 250, 232, and 204 were detected and their abundance increased with an increase in the fragmentor voltage. The m/z 250 ion can be accounted for by a McLafferty rearrangement. The fragment ions of m/z 232 and 204 were formed not only by subsequent fragmentations of the m/z 250 ion, but also by ion‐molecule reactions of solvent ion and neutral analyte. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.