Spectrometry decomposition

In contrast to IR and NMR spectroscopy, the principle of mass spectrometry (MS) is based on decomposition and reactions of organic molecules on theii way from the ion source to the detector. Consequently, structure-MS correlation is basically a matter of relating reactions to the signals in a mass spectrum. The chemical structure information contained in mass spectra is difficult to extract because of the complicated relationships between MS data and chemical structures. The aim of spectra evaluation can be either the identification of a compound or the interpretation of spectral data in order to elucidate the chemical structure [78-80],... 

Metastable ions yield valuable information on fragmentation in mass spectrometry, providing insight into molecular structure. In electron ionization, metastable ions appear naturally along with the much more abundant normal ions. Abundances of metastable ions can be enhanced by collisionally induced decomposition. 

SFC/MS. supercritical fluid chromatography and mass spectrometry used as a combined technique SID. surface-induced dissociation (or decomposition)... 

Ozone can be analyzed by titrimetry, direct and colorimetric spectrometry, amperometry, oxidation—reduction potential (ORP), chemiluminescence, calorimetry, thermal conductivity, and isothermal pressure change on decomposition. The last three methods ate not frequently employed. Proper measurement of ozone in water requites an awareness of its reactivity, instabiUty, volatility, and the potential effect of interfering substances. To eliminate interferences, ozone sometimes is sparged out of solution by using an inert gas for analysis in the gas phase or on reabsorption in a clean solution. Historically, the most common analytical procedure has been the iodometric method in which gaseous ozone is absorbed by aqueous KI. 

Naiiow-line uv—vis spectia of free atoms, corresponding to transitions ia the outer electron shells, have long been employed for elemental analysis usiag both atomic absorption (AAS) and emission (AES) spectroscopy (159,160). Atomic spectroscopy is sensitive but destmctive, requiring vaporization and decomposition of the sample iato its constituent elements. Some of these techniques are compared, together with mass spectrometry, ia Table 4 (161,162). 

A predictive macromolecular network decomposition model for coal conversion based on results of analytical measurements has been developed called the functional group, depolymerization, vaporization, cross-linking (EG-DVC) model (77). Data are obtained on weight loss on heating (thermogravimetry) and analysis of the evolved species by Eourier transform infrared spectrometry. Separate experimental data on solvent sweUing, solvent extraction, and Gieseler plastometry are also used in the model. 

Low ionizing potentials or soft ionization methods are necessary to observe the parent ions in the mass spectra of many S-N compounds because of their facile thermal decomposition. Mass spectrometry has been used to investigate the thermal breakdown of S4N4 in connection with the formation of the polymer (SN). On the basis of the appearance potentials of various S Ny fragments, two important steps were identified ... 

A comparison of the electron impact (El) and chemical ionization (Cl-methane) mass spectra of 1//-azepine-1-carboxylates and l-(arylsulfonyl)-l//-azepines reveals that in the El spectra at low temperature the azepines retain their 8 -electron ring structure prior to fragmentation, whereas the Cl spectra are complicated by high temperature thermal decompositions.90 It has been concluded that Cl mass spectrometry is not an efficient technique for studying azepines, and that there is no apparent correlation between the thermal and photo-induced rearrangements of 1//-azepines and their mass spectral behavior. 

Mass spectrometry (see Chapter 3) is capable of providing molecular weight and structural information from picogram amounts of material and to provide selectivity by allowing the monitoring of ions or ion decompositions characteristic of a single analyte of interest. These are the ideal characteristics of both a qualitative and a quantitative detector. 

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) is a term which covers a number of techniqnes in which one stage of mass spectrometry, not necessarily the first, is used to isolate an ion of interest and a second stage is then nsed to probe the relationship of this ion with others from which it may have been generated or which it may generate on decomposition. The two stages of mass spectrometry are related in specific ways in order to provide the desired analytical information. There are a large nnmber of different MS-MS experiments that can be carried ont [9, 10] bnt the fonr most widely nsed are (i) the prodnct-ion scan, (ii) the precnrsor-ion scan, (iii) the constant-nentral-loss scan, and (iv) selected decomposition monitoring. 

The MS-MS equivalent of this technique is known as selected-decomposition monitoring (SDM) or selected-reaction monitoring (SRM), in which the fragmentation of a selected precursor ion to a selected product ion is monitored. This is carried out by setting each of the stages of mass spectrometry to transmit a single ion, i.e. the precursor ion by MSi and the product ion by MS3 (see Figure 3.8 above). 

To understand the circumstances in which particular features of mass spectrometry, such as high-resolution measurements, MS-MS and cone-voltage fragmentation, selected-ion monitoring and selected-decomposition monitoring, may be nsed to address particular analytical problems. 

Quantitative methodology employing mass spectrometry usually involves selected-ion monitoring (see Section 3.5.2.1) or selected-decomposition monitoring (see Section 3.4.2.4) in which a small number of ions or decompositions of ions specific to the compound(s) of interest are monitored. It is the role of the analyst to choose these ions/decompositions, in association with chromatographic performance, to provide sensitivity and selectivity such that when incorporated into a method the required analyses may be carried out with adequate precision and accuracy. 

Selected-decomposition monitoring An MS-MS scan in which the first stage of mass spectrometry is set to transmit a selected ion and the second to transmit only a selected product ion. This technique increases the selectivity of the analysis. 

Thermal properties of several chlorinated phenols and derivatives were studied by differential thermal analysis and mass spectrometry and in bulk reactions. Conditions which might facilitate the formation of stable dioxins were emphasized. No two chlorinated phenols behaved alike. For a given compound the decomposition temperature and rate as well as the product distribution varied considerably with reaction conditions. The phenols themselves seem to pyro-lyze under equilibrium conditions slowly above 250°C. For their alkali salts the onset of decomposition is sharp and around 350°C. The reaction itself is exothermic. Preliminary results indicate that heavy ions such as cupric ion may decrease the decomposition temperature. 

In a separate set of experiments designed to follow the gas phase reactions of CHj-radicals with NO, CHj- radicals were generated by the thermal decomposition of azomethane, CHjN NCHj, at 980 °C. The CH3- radicals were subsequently allowed to react with themselves and with NO in a Knudsen cell that has been described previously [12]. Analysis of intermediates and products was again done by mass spectrometry, using the VIEMS. Calibration of the mass spectrometer with respect to CH,- radicals was carried out by introducing the products of azomethane decomposition directly into the high vacuum region of the instrument. 

Although sophisticated methods may constitute the core methods for certification it is useful to include good, well executed routine methods. In order to further minimize systematic error, a conscious purposeful attempt should be made to get methods and procedures with wide-ranging and different sample preparation steps, including no decomposition as in instrumental neutron activation analysis and particle induced X-ray emission spectrometry. 

Ethylenethiourea (ETU) is a toxic decomposition product/metabolite of alky-lenebis(dithiocarbamates). This compound could be generated during processing of treated crops at elevated temperature. Different chromatographic methods to determine the residue levels of ETU have been published. After extraction with methanol, clean-up on a Gas-Chrom S/alumina column and derivatization (alkylation) with bro-mobutane, ETU residues can be determined by GC with a flame photometric detector in the sulfur mode. Alternatively, ETU residues can also be determined by an HPLC method with UV detection at 240 nm or by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) or liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) (molecular ion m/z 103). ... 

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