Application of negative ion mass spectrometry to the identification of long chain aldehydes and alcohols

The negative ion mass spectra of a number of long chain aldehydes and alcohols are reported. The small number of fragment ions in the mass spectra of these compounds was a characteristic feature. The prominent P‐1 negative ion in the mass spectra enabled identification of the molecular ions of long chain alcohols and aldehydes whose positive ion mass spectra have negligible molecular ion intensities. The potential of the method for analysis of complex mixtures of long chain aldehydes and alcohols has been demonstrated with the identification of the components of a 14 component mixture.