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Characterization of phenolic compounds in coal tar by gas chromatography/negative‐ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Ma Sutian,
Ma Chao,
Qian Kejun,
Zhou Yasong,
Shi Quan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.7608
Subject(s) - atmospheric pressure chemical ionization , chemistry , mass spectrometry , coal tar , chromatography , fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance , chemical ionization , gas chromatography , analytical chemistry (journal) , electrospray ionization , phenols , organic chemistry , ionization , ion , coal
Rationale Phenolic compounds are commonly found in fossel fuels and bio‐oils, and have a detrimental effect on the chemical stability of the fuels. A selective analytical method is needed to characterize the phenolic compounds in complex hydrocarbon mixtures. Methods Gas chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC/APCI‐MS) was used to characterize the phenolic compounds in a low‐temperature coal tar and its narrow distillate fractions. Results Negative‐ion APCI selectively ionized phenolic compounds in the coal tar. The [M–H] − and [M–H + O] − ions were derived from monohydric phenols, while [M–H] − , [M‐2H] − , and [M–2H + O] − were from benzenediols. Monohydric phenolic compounds with 1–4 aromatic rings and some dihydric phenolic compounds were identified. The results from GC/APCI‐MS were validated by those from negative electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FTICRMS). Conclusions Negative‐ion GC/APCI‐MS was proposed and successfully used to characterize phenolic compounds in coal tar samples. This technique can potentially be used for the characterization of phenolic compounds in other complex hydrocarbon systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.