Mass spectrometry explosives analysis

H. Kramer, S. Semel J.E. Abel, Trace Elemental Survey Analysis of Trinitrotoluene , PATR 4767 (1975) (An evaluation of the applicability of spark source mass spectrometry and thermal neutron activation for the detn of origin-related trace elemental impurities in TNT) 10) C. Ribando J. Haber-man, Origin-Identification of Explosives Via Their Composite Impurity Profiles I. The... 

The potential of ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry for the analysis of complex chemical mixtures is particularly illustrated by FT-ICR-MS which definitely sets a new standard. For example, ultrahigh-resolution was applied to separate several thousand components in crude oil, [85,86] fuels, [87,88] or explosion residues. [89]... 

Reliable identification of explosives in a modem forensic laboratory is based on instmmental techniques, mainly spectrometric, often in conjunction with chromatographic methods. Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is considered to be an excellent and reliable method in forensic analysis, including the analysis of explosives. 

Mass spectrometry has become a routine technique for forensic analysis of explosives and one of the technologies used for vapor and trace detection of hidden explosives. 

Mass spectrometry, and especially LC/MS, is a major technique in the analysis of explosives. It combines good sensitivity and selectivity, and in addition to MS/ MS, provides an excellent identification tool for the forensic analyst. 

J. Yinon Analysis of explosives hy LC/MS. In J. Yinon, (ed.). Advances in Forensic Apphcations of Mass Spectrometry, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2003. 

M.L. Miller, R. Mothershead J. Leibowitz K. Mount and R. Martz The Analysis of nitrated organic explosives by LC/MS Additive enhancement. In Proc. 45th ASMS Conference on mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Palm Springs, CA, 1997, p. 52. 

With a focus on trace forensic detection of explosives, especially for use in counterterrorism and to counter narcotics investigations, Fetterolf et al. [75] evaluated the use of ion mobility-mass spectrometry for explosives determinations. In this, explosives residues were collected on a membrane filter by a special attachment on a household vacuum cleaner. Although subsequent thermal desorption and analysis required only 5 s, fimits of detection for most common explosives were as low as 200 pg. The persistence of explosives on hands and transfer to other surfaces were also examined as were post-blast residues of NG on fragments of improvised explosive devices constructed with double-based smokeless powder. Finally, postblast residue from C-4, Semtex, and other explosives was found by IMS analyses on items of forensic and evidentiary value. These few out of many examples demonstrate that mobihty spectrometers are well suited tools for laboratory and on-site investigations, before and after the use of explosives. 

X. Xu, A.M. van der Craats, E.M. Kok and P.C.A.M. de Bruyn, Trace analysis of peroxide explosives by high performance liquid chromatography — atmospheric pressure chemical ionization — tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCl-MS/MS) for forensic applications ,... 

The equipment for screening passengers and baggage is designed to identify trace amounts of specific known explosives. Analytic trace detection is conducted using mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, chemical luminescence, or ion mobility spectrometry. Ion mobility spectrometry is most commonly used. Novel explosive material wiU not be probably detected by these systems. Information on the equipment s technical performance is not publicly available because of security reasons, which inhibits an independent analysis of equipment s performance [160]. 

McLuckey SA, Glish GL, Carter JA. 1985. The analysis of explosives by tandem mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 30 773-788. 

In an effort, to study the effect of introduction of -C=C- on thermal stability of polynitroaromatics, Feng and Boren designed 3,3 -bis((2,2, 4,4, 6,6 -hexanitrostilbene) and azo-3,3 -bis (2,2, 4,4, 6,6 -hexanitrostilbene), synthesized and studied their structural aspects by infrared (IR), NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry [64]. These explosives are expected to have high m.p. and thermal stability in view of their large molecular masses and better molecular symmetry. Further, DSC study of these explosives also proves that thermal stability of an explosive is associated with its m.p. Also decomposition rate is accelerated... 

Analysis of Explosives by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry , Anal 49 (7), 1039—... 

Many reaction types can be studied in the mass spectrometer e.g. flash photolysis, shock tube, combustion, explosions, electric discharge and complex gas reactions. Mass spectrometry is ideal for ion-ion and ion-molecule reactions, isotopic analysis and kinetic isotope effect studies. 

K.A. Hanold, Mass Spectrometry Based Personnel Screening Portal, Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Analysis and Detection of Explosives, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2001. 

Increase in sensitivity and efficiency of analysis in structural studies of enzymes with a gas phase sequencer have made it possible to determine the primary structure in a shorter period of time with a small amount of enzyme at the picomole or even femtomole level. In addition, thanks to the DNA sequencing technique the number of enzymes (or proteins) whose amino acid sequences are registered in a data base file has expanded explosively. The introduction of mass spectrometry on the primary structure determination of protein has stimulated the search for a new methodology other than Edman chemistry. 

Berberich DW, Yost RA, Fetterolf DD. 1988. Analysis of explosives by liquid chromatography/thermospray/mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 33 946-959. 

Both normal phase [53] and reversed phase [54] HPLC methods have been used for the separation of diterpene alkaloids. Reversed phase HPLC coupled to APCI mass spectrometry has been used for the analysis of diterpene alkaloids of Aconitum spp. [64,65] and normal phase HPLC conditions [53] have been successfully used with APCI-MS for the detection of diterpene alkaloids in Delphinium species [56]. However, caution should be observed in the use of APCI sources with some normal phase HPLC solvents such as hexane, to ensure no oxygen is introduced into the system producing a possible explosive mixture in the API source. 

Immediately after obtaining his doctorate in chemistry in 1960, Dr. Fred Volk joined the ICT, which had then just been built in Pfinztal, where he worked closely with Dr. Karl Meyer. The main focus of his research within the area of explosive analysis was on the use of thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry as well as on calculating thermodynamic energies used in explosive and combustion processes. The many key words and the related articles in Explosives dealing with theoretical and thermodynamic performances were painstakingly checked, or written by Dr. F. Volk himself, each time before a new edition was printed. 

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